Ilex cornuta aka Chinese Holly

Taxonomy

Genus Ilex Family Aquifoliaceae Order Aquifoliales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Ilex cornuta, also known as Chinese holly or horned holly, is a slow-growing, densely foliaged evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae plant family. Native to eastern China and Korea, it reaches a height of about 3 meters (9.8 ft). The leaves are usually 5-spined, sometimes 4, oblong, and entire, ranging from 3.5 cm to 10 cm in length. This holly produces red berries that are larger than those of the European Holly (Ilex aquifolium). Valued for its attractive rectangular foliage and large red berries, Ilex cornuta has several cultivars and hybrids introduced by the horticultural trade. These include 'Burfordii' (compact and abundant fruiting), 'Dazzler' (large fruits), 'Dwarf Burfordii' (particularly compact), and 'Nellie R. Stevens' (a hybrid with I. aquifolium, very prolific fruiting). This plant is versatile, tolerating a wide variety of soils and growing well in both sun and shade. The shrub itself is dense and slow-growing, typically reaching a height of 2-2.4 meters. It features rectangular, pale green, spiny leaves with bright yellow margins. In late spring, small white female flowers appear, followed by large red berries if pollinated by a male cultivar. The berries are usually sporadically borne. The narrow evergreen foliage adds beauty throughout the year, serving as a great backdrop to flowers during the warm season and providing color and interest to the winter landscape. Ilex cornuta is easy to grow and can be freely pruned to maintain the desired size and shape. Furthermore, the attractive red berries in autumn serve as a treat for many bird species.

Common names

Chinese Holly, Burford's Holly, Horned Holly

How to care for Chinese Holly

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Chinese Holly is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Chinese Holly should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Chinese Holly is very sensitive to dry soil. To ensure your Burford's Holly is thriving and blooming, choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still allow for adequate drainage and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great soil additives that will help to retain moisture and provide your Chinese Holly with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure to mix these soil additives into the potting soil before planting and water the soil thoroughly. By providing your Chinese Holly with a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil, you can help to maximize its growth and keep it blooming.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Chinese Holly prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Chinese Holly is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Chinese Holly grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Chinese Holly’s native range is E. Asia - E. China, Korea.

More info:
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More Species in Ilex Genus

Ilex crenata Japanese Holly

Ilex paraguariensis Brazilian Tea

Ilex chapaensis

Ilex cornuta Chinese Holly

Ilex coriacea Large Gallberry

Ilex ambigua Carolina Holly

Ilex myrtifolia Myrtle Dahoon

Ilex altaclerensis Highclere Holly

Ilex rotunda Kurogane Holly

Ilex Holly