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Horned Holly Ilex cornuta 'Crimson Fire'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Horned Holly:

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks kor-NUE-tah
Description

Chinese Holly is a holly from Asia where it is often found in ravines and hills and alongside mountain paths. In the landscape, it can be grown as a hedge up to 15 feet tall or trained to be a small tree up to 25 feet tall.  Cultivars usually range from 3 feet to 10 feet in height.  The unusual rectangular leaves resemble bullhorns.  The specific epithet 'cornuta' means horn-shaped.  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). It is pollinated by bees.

This holly is tolerant of most soils except poorly-drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is tolerant of heat and humidity and is drought tolerant once established, making it a good choice for the south. Prune in the late winter to control its size if needed. 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. Mature plants do not tolerate root disturbance, so it is best to site the plant in its permanent position, preferably one that provides winter protection for the first year or two.

It has been known to escape cultivation and naturalize in some states, including North Carolina and Alabama.

'Crimson Fire' is a cultivar of Chinese holly.   

Although it has some tolerance for heat and periods of drought, then grown in locations that experience hot summers, placement should be in an area that provides some protection from the afternoon sun.

Its flowers are insignificant but are fragrant.  

Typically grown as a shrub, it can be pruned into a small tree.  Fruiting will occur when both male and female plants are situated at the location.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Holly leaf miner, scale, whitefly, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. 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. This plant does spread rapidly and has been listed by USDA as an invasive species in Georgia. 

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

More information on Ilex cornuta.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#naturalizes#naturalized area#bird friendly#wet soils intolerant#showy fruit
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#naturalizes#naturalized area#bird friendly#wet soils intolerant#showy fruit
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    lex
    Species:
    cornuta
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Makes a great foundation plant.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Korea.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds feast on the fruits.
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Its showy red berries ripen in the fall and persist through the winter months.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, insignificant flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The showy leaves are rectangular with spines on the leaf edges.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Bark Description:
    Young stems are yellow-green. They will mature into a silvery-gray color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Recreational Play Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer