Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Ilex

  Species:

  cornuta

  Family:

  Aquifoliaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Woody

  Wildlife Value:

  Fruits are attractive to birds and bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.

  Play Value:

  Wildlife Enhancement

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  Resistant to damage by deer.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

  Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Shrub

  Leaf Characteristics:

  Broadleaf Evergreen

  Habit/Form:

  Dense

  Mounding

  Rounded

  Texture:

  Coarse

  Appendage:

  Spines

• 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)

  Available Space To Plant:

  6-feet-12 feet

  Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

  7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  White

  Flower Size:

  < 1 inch

  Flower Description:

  Non-showy flowers

• Leaves:

  Leaf Characteristics:

  Broadleaf Evergreen

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Glossy

  Leathery

  Prickly

  Leaf Value To Gardener:

  Good Cut

  Long-lasting

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  1-3 inches

  Leaf Width:

  1-3 inches

  Leaf Description:

  Alternate, simple, leathery, dark olive-green leaves; 2-3 in. long; long, single terminal spine

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Theme:

  Drought Tolerant Garden

  Formal English Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Hedge

  Attracts:

  Pollinators

  Songbirds

  Specialized Bees

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Drought

  Salt