Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Chinese Holly

Ilex Cornuta

Design with this plant

Overview

The Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) is an evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded form. It typically reaches 8–15 feet in height and spreads 10–12 feet. Noted for its glossy, dark green leaves with distinctive spiny margins, it bears small white flowers in spring. Bright red berries add winter interest and attract wildlife. This hardy plant prefers well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and is resistant to deer and drought.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 7–10Type Shrub, TreeClimate Temperate
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — white flowers in the garden

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
7–10

Shape & size

Mature height
8–12 Ft.
Mature width
8–15 Ft.

Classification

Type
Shrub, Tree
Family
Aquifoliaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (69)

Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — With leaves that typically measure about 2 to 4 inches in length; while it is drought-tolerant once established
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — or for hedges and privacy screens
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — Bright red berries add winter interest and attract wildlife; regular watering during its initial growth period is advisable to
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — With leaves that typically measure about 2 to 4 inches in length
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — I recommend this plant for clients seeking a low-maintenance yet visually striking addition to their garden
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — It typically reaches 8‚Äì15 feet in height and spreads 10‚Äì12 feet
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — tolerating a wide range of soil types; the Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) is an evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded form
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — bright red berries provide a vibrant contrast to its foliage
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — attracting birds and other wildlife; dark green foliage and its ability to create an impenetrable hedge
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — Noted for its glossy, dark green leaves with distinctive spiny margins, it bears small white flowers in spring
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — though it prefers well-drained; with leaves that typically measure about 2 to 4 inches in length
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — though they are not its main decorative feature; or for hedges and privacy screens
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — shrub / tree with white blooms
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — attracting birds and other wildlife
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — When designing a landscape, it's important to allow enough space for this plant to mature
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — This plant delivers year-round interest - white flowers bloom in the spring
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — Pruning is seldom necessary but can be done to maintain a desired shape or size
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — plant your Chinese Holly in a location that receives full sun to partial shade
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — This plant delivers year-round interest - white flowers bloom in the spring, image 44
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — Bright red berries add winter interest and attract wildlife
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — tolerating a wide range of soil types
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — though they are not its main decorative feature
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — is a robust evergreen shrub renowned for its distinctive glossy
Chinese Holly (Ilex Cornuta) — shrub / tree for full or half
Photographs by 12 contributors

Related plants

American Holly (Ilex Opaca) — dark green foliage and vibrant red berries

Broadleaf Evergreen

American Holly

Ilex Opaca

FullUSDA 5–9
Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) — Proven Winners - Berry Heavy® - Winterberry Holly - Ilex verticillata white plant details

Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata

Full
Berry Poppins® Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) — is a compact deciduous holly with green summer foliage and vivid red berries on bare winter stems

Broadleaf Evergreen

Berry Poppins® Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

FullUSDA 3–9
Blue Girl Holly (Ilex X Meserveae 'Blue Girl') — commonly known as Blue Girl Holly

Broadleaf Evergreen

Blue Girl Holly

Ilex X Meserveae 'Blue Girl'

FullUSDA 4–8
Blue Holly (Ilex X Meserveae) — This versatility makes it an ideal candidate for use as a hedge; making it an excellent choice for a wide range of, image 70

Broadleaf Evergreen

Blue Holly

Ilex X Meserveae

FullUSDA 5–8
Burford Holly (Ilex Cornuta 'Burfordii') — glossy foliage and solitary red berries

Shrub

Burford Holly

Ilex Cornuta 'Burfordii'

FullUSDA 7–10