Burford Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'

Burford Chinese Holly is a cultivar of the Ilex cornuta holly and is a dense evergreen shrub or small tree. It can grow to a height of 15 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 15 feet wide. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and leathery, and usually have a single terminal spine. Of all the hollies, the leaves of the Burford are the darkest green and the glossiest. In the spring, small white flowers emerge and are very attractive to bees. The flowers are not very showy but pleasantly scented. The abundant red berries ripen in the fall and persist through the winter months. 

The plant is dioecious, which means that the individual flowers are either male or female. There is only one sex found on any one plant; therefore, both male and female plants must be grown, if seed is required. Burford Chinese Holly also produces its heavy fruit set without pollination, which is referred to as "parthenocarpy."

In 1900, the cultivar, 'Burfordii', was discovered in Georgia and has the characteristic drought and heat tolerance of its parent.

The Burford Chinese Holly grows best in rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils. It is tolerant of most soils except poorly-drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. If planted in shady areas, fruit and flower production is significantly reduced. It is dense and tolerates severe pruning. It can be trimmed to form a rounded large shrub, a small tree, or a hedge. Pruning should be done in late winter. When pruning, keep in mind that blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth. It is drought tolerant once established, low maintenance, and easy to grow. 

Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford' or 'Burfordii Nana' is very similar to 'Burfordii', except it grows much shorter. It measures only 6-8 feet tall, has smaller leaves that are about 2 inches long, and sports darker foliage.

The fruit and evergreen leaves make for winter interest in the home landscape. The spiny leaves make this a good choice for a barrier or privacy screen or use as a formal impenetrable hedge. It may be planted as a specimen, used in small groups, or planted along a foundation. The Burford Chinese Holly can also be pruned to form an attractive vase-shaped small tree. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring     Foliage:  Year-round       Fruits:  Fall and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• dense rounded evergreen shrub or small tree
• dark green, glossy, leathery, 2 to 4-inch leaves with entire margins except for a single terminal spine at the apex
• may have occasionally 2 lateral spines on the leaf edges
• small, fragrant, white flowers in the spring
• abundant small, round, dull to bright red berries in the fall that persist through the winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Burford Chinese Holly can have pest problems including leaf miners, scale, whiteflies, and spider mites. The infestations of tea scale and tar spots can be severe. 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.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Ilex cornuta.