Dwarf Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dwarf Chinese Holly:
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kor-NOO-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Dwarf Chinese Holly or "Rotunda' is a cultivar of Ilex cornuta and is a dense, compact, rounded shrub that measures 3 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, and is significantly smaller than its parent. It is a female clone and usually does not set fruits. The flowers, if present, are not very showy, but they are pleasantly scented. The leaves are deep green, thick, glossy, rectangular-shaped, and have 5 to 7 spines.
This dwarf broadleaf evergreen shrub originated from seed in 1930 at a nursery in Louisiana.
The genus name, Ilex, is the Latin name for the Quercus ilex which is the holm oak. The foliage of the holm oak is very similar to many shrubs in the Ilex genus. The specific epithet, cornuta, means horn or horn-shaped. The cultivar name, 'Rotunda,' means rounded and refers to the shrubs habit.
This holly can be grown in full to partial sun and is tolerant of heat and humidity, making it a good choice for the south. It requires little care and is moderately salt tolerant and drought-tolerant. It does well in clay and alkaline soils as long as they are well-drained. 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 also make this a good choice for a barrier or privacy screen or use as an impenetrable hedge.
The Dwarf Chinese Holly can 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.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Foliage: Year-round Fruits: Fall and Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- dwarf, rounded, mounding broadleaf evergreen 3 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
- thick, glossy, dark green leaves, rectangular with 5 to 7 spines
- fragrant, inconspicuous white flowers
- typically no fruits, if present red berry-like drupes
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant can have pest problems. Holly leaf miners, scale, whiteflies, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential disease problems. 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
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- 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
- 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:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Phytophthora root rot
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- 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
- 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:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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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:
- Typically lacking in fruit, but occasionally red berries are present. The fruits are 1/3 inch in diameter and bright to dull red berry-like drupes. They are produced on female plants. Fruits persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous, four-parted, radial, axillary, dull-white flowers appear in late spring and are 1/4 to 1/3-inch in diameter. Male and female flowers are on different plants (dioecious). Fragrant but not showy.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are glossy dark-green in color, yellowish-green on the undersides, rectangular shaped, and have five to seven sharp spines per leaf. The leaf apex is bent downward and spinose. The apex terminates in a spine. There is typically a spine at each corner of the rectangle, plus one or two in the middle of the leaf that curves downward. The leaf arrangement is alternate, and the leaves are simple, evergreen, stipule, and minute. The leaves measure 1.5 to 3 inches long and 0.75 to 1.5 inches wide.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth gray and becomes finely flakey.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are greenish-yellow. The buds are small and green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Salt
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Spines/Thorns
