Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kor-NOO-tuh
- Description
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Burford Holly is a cultivar of the I. cornuta holly. The parent plant originated in Asia where it is often found in ravines and hills and alongside mountain paths. The cultivar, 'Burfordii', was discovered in Georgia with characteristics of drought and heat tolerance and, unlike the parent plant, this cultivar is easily transplantable. Burdford Holly is fast growing, dense, and, because it tolerates severe pruning, can be trimmed to form a rounded large shrub, small tree (when lower branches are removed), or hedge. Pruning should be done in late winter.
Burford holly grows to 15' tall. It has revolute leaves with only one apical spine. It is noted for heavy fruit set. Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford' (also known as 'Burfordii Nana') is very similar to 'Burfordii', except it grows much shorter (to only 6-8' tall), has smaller leaves (to 2" long) and sports darker foliage. The flowers are not very showy, but they are pleasantly scented. The plant is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). Burford holly produces its heavy fruit set without pollination (referred to as parthenocarpy).
This holly is tolerant of most soils except poorly-drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. The fruit and evergreen leaves make for winter interest in the landscape. The spiny leaves make this a good choice for a barrier or privacy screen or use as an impenetrable hedge. It can also be planted as a specimen, used in small groups, or planted along a foundation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Burford Holly can have pest problems including leaf miner, scale, whitefly, and spider mites. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential disease problems. However, it is resistant to Phytophthora root rot. Depending on their planting location this shrub can exhibit chlorosis, leaf drop, or leaf scorch from high pH soils.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Flowers Galore Woodland Backyard Garden Walk Mountain Ridge Top Garden - South Lawn and Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
a slightly smaller form of ‘Burfordii’ and the leaves are more puckered. Also known as Dwarf Burford.
- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
a slightly smaller form of ‘Burfordii’ and the leaves are more puckered. Also known as Dwarf Burford.
- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
- Burfordii Nana (compact form)
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- cornuta
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Korea.
- Distribution:
- southeastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Phytophthora root rot
- Edibility:
- Use caution. No specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species; however, the fruits of some members of this genus contain saponins and are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
- Thorns
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Plant produces abundant bright to dull red berries in clusters of 3 to 8 that are spiny only at the apex. Fruits are heavily produced without pollination (parthenocarpic) and persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 1/4 to 1/3 inch, dull white flowers that bloom in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, glossy olive-green leaves that are 2 to 3 inches in length. These small leaves have a single terminal spine at the apex, although occasionally two lateral spines will develop. These leaves are elliptic to oblong, coriaceaous, and bullate (appearing blistered). Margins are usually smooth.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark becoming finely flakey with size.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slender, yellow-green stems turning reddish-green in the winter, buds small, leaf scar with 1 bundle scar. Branchlets are dense.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
