Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly)

Ilex cornuta, Chinese Holly, Horned Holly, Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta, Chinese Holly Plant, China Holly, China Holly Plant, Chinese Holly Shrub, Chinese Holly Bush

Ilex cornuta, commonly known as the Chinese Holly, is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that carries glossy, green foliage with prominent, short spines. Small, white, mildly fragrant flowers are produced in spring, resulting in distinctive, large red berries as the plant grows to 2 m tall and the same width. The relatively fine texture of this Ilex cornuta sets it apart from other landscape plants, making it ideal for mixed plantings, for providing winter colour, as a hedge or screen, to contrast with other foliage types, or for use as a backdrop to smaller plants.

An Ilex cornuta shrub with spiny, green leaves and red berries.

Ilex cornuta is currently unavailable, but we do have other other amazing species and varieties of Ilex available.

explore them here

Notify me when this is available:
Please enter your email address below if you would like to know when it becomes available again.

Suited to regions:All regions
Plant type:Shrubs
Height:2.00 m
Spread:2.00 m
Flowering time:Spring
Tolerances:Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses:Containers, Hedging, Topiary
Garden styles:Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Easy to grow?Yes
Maintenance requirementsLow
Growth rateMedium
Also known asIlex cornuta, Chinese Holly, Horned Holly, Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta, Chinese Holly Plant, China Holly, China Holly Plant, Chinese Holly Shrub, Chinese Holly Bush
Sku11789

How to grow Chinese Holly in NZ

To grow Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) in New Zealand, plant it in full sun or partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Water regularly during establishment, then only during dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and feed annually with a balanced fertiliser. Prune as needed to shape or control size. This hardy shrub tolerates drought, coastal conditions, and urban environments, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) care tips

Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) is easy to care for and thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Water regularly during establishment, then only during dry spells. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser and mulch yearly to retain moisture. Light pruning keeps it tidy and encourages dense growth. This hardy shrub is generally pest-resistant and suits a wide range of New Zealand garden conditions.

Why Buy Ilex cornuta from The Plant Company?

Ilex cornuta plants from The Plant Company are strong, healthy, and ready for their new home. This hardy evergreen holly is ideal for hedging, screening, or feature planting thanks to its dense form and glossy, spiny foliage. The Plant Company offers premium-quality plants, expert advice, and fast nationwide delivery, making it easy to purchase with confidence and achieve great results in your garden.

Questions and Answers

Have a question about Ilex cornuta? We are here to help.

Ilex 'Sky Pencil' shrubs with elegant, green foliage growing against a wall.
Most Popular

Ilex Sky Pencil

Ilex ‘Sky Pencil’ is a striking, upright holly prized for its narrow, columnar shape that adds vertical interest to gardens. This evergreen shrub...

From$26.53
ilex-aquifolium-angustifolia-male-
Most Popular

Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

This male form of Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia, commonly known as the Narrow Leaf English Holly, is grown for its narrow and spiny, glossy, dark...

From$139.51
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Most Popular

Ilex crenata Convexa (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ is a compact, evergreen shrub with dense, glossy green foliage and a naturally rounded form. The small, convex leaves give it...

From$26.53
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Most Popular

Ilex Largo

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub...

From$26.53
hydrangea-macrophylla-piamina--1
Most Popular

Hydrangea Piamina

Hydrangea 'Piamina' is a charming and compact mophead variety, celebrated for its small but vivid pink flower heads that bring colour and structure...

From$29.19
Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.
Most Popular

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...

From$105.46
rhododendron-red-mountain-
Most Popular

Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain

Rhododendron Vireya ‘Red Mountain’ is a tropical shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall with a compact, rounded growth habit. Known for its striking red...

From$27.86
Acacia 'Limelight' growing with cascading green foliage in a border garden.
Most Popular

Acacia Limelight

Acacia 'Limelight' is a shrub grown for its attractive foliage and form. It has soft, weeping, lime-green foliage, which is held on stems to give the...

From$42.49
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

423 Google reviews