Ilex cornuta

Chinese Holly

Chinese Holly is the common name for Ilex cornuta, a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that carries glossy, green foliage with prominent short spines. Small, white, mildly fragrant flowers are produced in spring and result in distinctive, large red berries which are great for attracting birds. It typically grows to 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of dry conditions, cool climates, frost, and coastal conditions. The relatively fine texture of this Chinese Holly sets it apart from other landscape plants making it ideal for mixed plantings, for providing winter colour, as a hedge or screen, using to contrast with other foliage types, or for use as a backdrop to smaller plants.