CHINESE HOLLY
Ilex cornuta
Plant Description
Chinese holly is a broadleaf evergreen shrub of the Holly family that grows in a mounded form and is easily identifiable by it's multi-pointed leaves. The pointed leaves make the plant painful to interact with which is why it is most often used in the background or as a barrier to discourage foot traffic.
Chinese Holly grows to a maximum height of 8-12' at maturity with a spread of 5-6'. There isa Dwarf variety (Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda') that can grows around 18+30" hight with a spread of 24-36". that to 15 feet.
It should be grown in medium moisture and well-drained soils and requires part shade and full sun. The shrub has typically rectangle shaped leaves which are almost 4 inches long and have 3 large spines at the top. This plant catches a few diseases like leaf drop, leaf scorch and chlorosis and attracts a lot of insects like leaf miner, spider mites and whitefly.
Plant Details
Pros: Evergreen, good barrier plant, mass planting
Cons: Pointed leaves, occasional insect problems
Evergreen
Size: 8-12 height, 5-6' spread, dwarf variety available and preferred
Light: Sun=Partial Shade
Bloom Color: None
Fall Color: None
Water Needs: Low-Normal
Similar Plants: Dwarf Burford Holly, Carissa Holly