Purple Holly Ilex chinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ilex purpurea
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks chy-NEN-sis
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Oriental Holly, or Ilex chinensis, is a large species of holly native to eastern China and Japan. It is an evergreen tree with either male or female flowers and, because each plant is a specific sex, both male and female must be planted if fruit and seed are desired. Note that this plant is often sold under the synonym, Ilex purpurea.
Oriental Holly has average water requirements and should be watered regularly for consistently moist soil. However, it does not tolerate either overwatering or soil that is allowed to dry out. It will grow in full sun and partial shade. It is typically grown for its attractive foliage. You should also chose a site for this tree with care because the tree can reach heights of 40 feet or more and does not take well to root disruption or replanting. The plant can be pruned to shape; however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and berries will appear on new growth.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or pest issues.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South China to Vietnam, Central and South Japan, Taiwan
- Distribution:
- South East Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Shiny red fruit that attracts birds and other wildlife in winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small purplish pink to red flowers that blossom in late spring or early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2 to 4.2 inches long, alternate, and simple. New growth is typically bronze maturing to green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Dark gray, thin.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- C-shaped, Cresent shaped
- Stem Lenticels:
- Not Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Current year’s branchlets gray, terete, thinly angular; older branchlets glabrous, with crescent-shaped, convex leaf scars; lenticels obscure, small.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
