Burford holly

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; growth is denser and berry production generally better in sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Once established, it tolerates moderate drought, but benefits from deep watering during prolonged dry weather.

Soil

Well-drained, acidic to neutral soil; tolerates clay if drainage is adequate. Alkaline soil can cause yellow leaves.

Height

10-20 ft (3-6 m)

Spread

8-15 ft (2.4-4.6 m)

Flowers

Small, creamy-white flowers in spring, followed by red berries that ripen in autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen. Thick, glossy, dark green leaves, usually with a single sharp spine at the tip rather than several prominent marginal spines.

Growth

Moderate, sometimes faster in warm climates with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.8 ft (0.54 m)

2. After 1 year

   5 ft (1.5 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

4. After 3 years

   12 ft (3.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   15 ft (4.5 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Invasive in

the US

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two growing seasons; let the soil drain between waterings.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk and stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Allow space for its mature width rather than relying on repeated shearing.
• Check yellowing foliage for poor drainage or alkaline soil before adding fertilizer.

Pruning. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead, crossing or unwanted branches and shortening shoots selectively. Frequent shearing removes flowering wood and reduces the berry display.

Late winter

Remove damaged or crossing branches and reduce size selectively if necessary.

Spring

Plant where drainage is good; water thoroughly and mulch the root area.

Spring

Check new growth for scale insects and inspect pale leaves for drainage or soil-pH problems.

Summer

Water young plants during dry spells and inspect leaf undersides for mites.

Autumn

Enjoy ripening berries and remove unwanted seedlings beneath shrubs or nearby bird perches.

Winter

Water established plants during prolonged dry, frost-free weather, especially in exposed sites.

• Use as a tall evergreen screen along a boundary, allowing enough width for its natural shape.
• Plant behind deciduous shrubs and perennials to provide a dark green winter backdrop.
• Use as a large specimen near a lawn or entrance, away from narrow paths where leaf tips can scratch.
• Train as a broad hedge where year-round enclosure matters more than a heavy berry crop.

Garden styles it suits: Traditional, Southern, Formal, Grand estate, Green on green and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Camellias, Azaleas, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Liriope, Autumn ferns and Japanese forest grass.

Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects. Birds eat the berries and use the dense evergreen branches for shelter; they can also spread seeds beyond the garden.

• Scale insects can cause sticky honeydew and black sooty mould. Prune badly infested shoots and use a labelled horticultural oil when conditions are suitable.
• Spider mites can cause fine stippling and dull foliage in hot, dry weather. Rinse leaf undersides and avoid drought stress; use a labelled treatment if damage continues.
• Root rot causes decline in persistently wet soil. Improve drainage or relocate the plant; do not keep watering a wilting plant without checking soil moisture.
• Iron chlorosis causes yellow leaves with greener veins in alkaline soil. Test the soil, address drainage and use an appropriate iron treatment if deficiency is confirmed.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses if eaten. Berries and leaves contain irritating compounds, including saponins; ingestion usually causes vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort. Larger amounts can cause more serious illness, so seek medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.

Where it spreads. Chinese holly is listed as invasive in North Carolina and can escape cultivation elsewhere in the southeastern United States. Burford holly's berries can be dispersed by birds; remove seedlings and check local guidance before planting near natural areas.

• Dwarf Burford holly (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana')

  Has similar glossy, usually single-spined leaves but a much shorter, more compact habit; check the cultivar label because young plants can look alike.

• Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta)

  Typical plants have more conspicuous horn-like spines at the leaf corners; Burford usually has smoother leaf edges and one terminal spine.

• English holly (Ilex aquifolium)

  Usually has wavier leaves with several sharp marginal spines, although mature upper branches can carry nearly spineless leaves.

The species name cornuta means horned, referring to the horn-like leaf spines typical of Chinese holly.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, using rooting hormone and a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Seedlings do not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Ilex cornuta

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan and Korea.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 5.5. Average height 305 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.