Ilex cornuta

Chinese Holly is a holly from Asia that can be grown as a hedge up to 15 ft tall or trained to be a small tree up to 25 feet tall.  Cultivars usually range from 3 ft to 10 ft in height.  The unusual rectangular leaves resemble bull horns.  The specific epithet "cornuta' means horn-shaped.  The flowers are not very showy, but they are pleasantly scented.

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. A male plant is needed for female plants to produce berries.  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 a hedge. It can also be planted as a specimen, used in small groups, or planted along a foundation.  

It has escaped cultivation and has naturalized in some states, including NC.

Quick ID Hints:

• Spiny, coriaceous leaves.
• Leaf apex spinose and pointing downward.
• Lateral spines near leaf apex resemble bull horns.

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 from high pH soils, leaf drop, or leaf scorch. This plant does spread rapidly and has been listed by USDA as an invasive species in GA.