Ilex Species, Sichuan Holly

This is a beautiful small evergreen tree with a graceful, open habit and pendulous branches. The habit is upright and rather narrow. The ...Read Moreleaves are toothed but not sharp to the touch.

Does well in full sun but also tolerates considerable shade.

If you want a dense shrub to shear tightly for conventional landscape use, as in a foundation planting, this isn't the plant for you. But in a small space, this would make a great garden specimen. It is all too rarely grown.

Specimens in the Arnold Arbortum (Boston, MA Z6a) are up to 15' high.

Sichuan Holly
Native to China. Used in crosses of other hollies, including with Ilex aquifolium to get Ilex x 'Brilliant'. Spined,...Read More narrow dark green or yellowish green leaves and bright red berries. Some American arboretums grow this tree.