Dwarf Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dwarf Chinese Holly:
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kor-NOO-tuh
- Description
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'Carissa' is an excellent formal shrub that grows up to 1m. The plant is drought and heat tolerant and has dense, rounded, evergreen leaves. It thrives in the sun or partial shade and in poor, clay, and alkaline soils. 'Carissa' is less cold hardy than 'Dwarf Burford', but is just as easily transplantable. This plant has pest problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Translucent rim around the leaf margin.
- Single spine at leaf apex.
- Leaves are shiny and dark green above, but flat and olive green below.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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 Food Source
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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 pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is generally not observed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant 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
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, leathery, ovate, coriaceous, glossy dark olive-green leaves that are 2-3 inches in length. Leaves have a long, single terminal at the spine (only apical). Leaves have a transparent rim around the leaf margin that reflects light and appears to shimmer. Some leaves appear to be bullate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
