Ilex, Chinese Holly, Horned Holly 'Burfordii'

This is a tough, dependable, slow-growing shrub that requires almost no maintenance and tolerates poor, clay soil. The growth habit is ro...Read Moreunded and somewhat uneven. In that sense, it's not as attractive as other hollies. It does better with some shade, and can even tolerate more shade than most landscaping plants. But it does need a couple hours of good sunshine to thrive. Like other early-blooming hollies, it's good for pollinators. It's completely impervious to deer and pests of all sorts. Overall, I consider it to be an inexpensive green filler that's probably best at the back of the border.

Is this variety of holly considered invasive anywhere?

I inherited several 60+ year old plants when we purchased our home and one acre garden in Louisiana (8b). They are reaching toward the e...Read Morend of their lifespan and some have died and declined, but those we have pruned and fertilized are thriving and healthy in high shade and produce massive quantities of beautiful red berries for Christmas. In early spring, birds will strip the trees bare within a few days and within a couple of weeks new berries are on the way!

One of my favorite hedge shrubs. Neat, easy to prune and shape, attractive dark glossy everygreen leaves. Very hardy and low maintenance.