Plant: Carissa - Holly
Holly · Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'
Size: 3 gal
Light
Bloom
Mature size
More about this plant
Carissa holly is a compact dense broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching only 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with glossy dark green leathery leaves that carry a single terminal spine and a shimmering translucent rim along the margin. Fragrant dull white flowers appear in late spring and red berries are produced only rarely. It grows slowly in full sun to partial shade on well drained acid to neutral soil, resists deer, drought, heat and pollution, and needs almost no pruning. Use it for low hedges, mass plantings, borders and foundation beds.
- Full Sun
- Grows to 4 ft tall and 6 ft wide
- Blooms in spring
- Hardy in USDA zones 6b-9
- Evergreen foliage
Plant description
Carissa holly is a compact dense broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching only 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with glossy dark green leathery leaves that carry a single terminal spine and a shimmering translucent rim along the margin. Fragrant dull white flowers appear in late spring and red berries are produced only rarely. It grows slowly in full sun to partial shade on well drained acid to neutral soil, resists deer, drought, heat and pollution, and needs almost no pruning. Use it for low hedges, mass plantings, borders and foundation beds.
- Flowers
- Small four parted radial axillary dull white flowers about one quarter to one third inch across appear in late spring.
- Foliage
- Alternate, simple, leathery ovate leaves with a single terminal spine and a transparent rim around the margin that reflects light and appears to shimmer.
- Fruit
- Small round fleshy red berries under half an inch across are rarely produced.
- Bark & stems
- Slender green stems turn reddish green in winter; smooth gray bark becomes finely flaky with size.
- Native range
- Eastern China, Korea
