Chinese Holly
Ilex cornuta
Also listed as Ilex fortunei, Ilex furcata
Also known as Horned Holly
Climate Match for your location
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Chinese holly is a dense, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries that persist through winter. It thrives in full sun and makes an excellent specimen plant or hedge.
Why grow it
Chinese holly offers denser branching and more persistent winter berries than many deciduous alternatives, making it valuable where year-round structure and color are desired. Its tolerance for both full sun and partial shade, along with adaptation to a range of soil types, gives it wider placement flexibility than some hollies that demand acidic conditions. The compact form naturally suits formal hedging or specimen roles without extensive pruning.
Watch out for
Established plants are drought-tolerant but newly planted specimens benefit from consistent moisture during their first season. Leaf spotting can occur in humid climates or areas with poor air circulation, so avoid overhead watering and ensure adequate spacing between plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Chinese holly is a dense, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries that persist through winter. It thrives in full sun and makes an excellent specimen plant or hedge.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chinese Holly grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Chinese holly offers denser branching and more persistent winter berries than many deciduous alternatives, making it valuable where year-round structure and color are desired. Its tolerance for both full sun and partial shade, along with adaptation to a range of soil types, gives it wider placement flexibility than some hollies that demand acidic conditions. The compact form naturally suits formal hedging or specimen roles without extensive pruning.
Watch out for
Established plants are drought-tolerant but newly planted specimens benefit from consistent moisture during their first season. Leaf spotting can occur in humid climates or areas with poor air circulation, so avoid overhead watering and ensure adequate spacing between plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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