Throughout the cooler months, most offer dark orange or red fruit, while fewer varieties create softer colored yellow berries. It is one of the few hollies that can produce berries without male pollination, the largest of all holly berries at 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Spiny leaves are dark olive glossy green and a bit prickly. The hairless leaves are leathery and waxy in texture. Each broadleaf is exceptionally shiny compared to others in the Aquifoliaceae family. The plant is toxic to humans, and toxic to pets. With one hand, hold the plant straight and with the other hand, fill the hole with soil. Pat the soil around the roots to remove any air pockets. When the hole is halfway filled, soak the soil. Continue backfilling. Allow the top edge of the root ball to rest just above ground level. This will allow the roots to settle in the coming rain. Once Chinese holly has been planted properly, it is exceptionally beautiful and also very adaptable. The plants crave only occasional deep watering if the weather is extremely dry but generally prove to be both resistant to drought and heat. The plant is toxic to humans, and toxic to pets.
Light
Choose a sunny spot. Chinese holly thrives in full to partial sun but will tolerate shade. Plants grow fullest with more sun. At least five hours of direct sunlight will enable optimum berry production and foliage density.
Soil
Chinese holly prefers moist, well-drained soil. It grows in clay, sand, or loam if the soil has excellent drainage. If the clay soil is very dense, mix in organic topsoil or planting mix to enrich the roots. If the soil is very sandy and drains quickly, add peat moss and/or compost to retain moisture.
Water
Once you’ve planted your Chinese holly, give it a good soak. Top the new soil with mulch or pine straw, leaving room at the base.
Temperature and Humidity
Chinese holly establishes and grows quickly in the USDA zones 7 to 9. In colder climates, the plant might need covering during the winter to help ensure it stays vibrant. It seems to tolerate high temperatures just fine, as well as a wide range of humidity levels.
Fertilizer
Every late winter or early spring, feed plants a slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer. The iron and/or sulfur will promote constant greening. If leaves begin to yellow in mid to late summer, a second fertilization could be helpful. For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Types of Chinese Holly
Some cultivars tend to grow as a shrub, while others tend to grow into a tree. Popular cultivars include:
‘Burford’ makes a beautiful hedge up to 20 feet tall and wide, a rapid-growing, spineless cultivar that is a wise choice for a hedge.‘Berries Jubilee’ is a more well-behaved Chinese holly that grows in a tamed mound and offers many bright-red berries in fall and winter.‘Carissa’ is a compact cultivar that only grows 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
Pruning
To maintain a neat privacy hedge, pruning is necessary. Without heavy trimming, these plants can take over an entire garden. Prune the tips of the plant back evenly during the early summer with a sharp pair of pruning shears. Remove dead or damaged branches from the base any time of year.
Propagating Chinese Holly
To propagate Chinese holly from hardwood cuttings, wait until the bush is dormant. Here’s how to do it:
How to Grow Chinese Holly From Seed
While it is possible to grow Chinese holly from seed, germination of the seeds can take up to three years, even with the best possible conditions. Given the ease of propagating by cuttings and the lengthy time and care it takes to grow from seed, this method is not recommended.
Potting and Repotting Chinese Holly
Chinese holly appreciates moist, well-drained soil when planted in the ground or a pot. Take extra care to maintain a moist, not soggy, environment in containers. Drainage holes and a high-quality potting mix will provide an ideal beginning for this holly. Choose a rather large pot at least eight inches wider than the root ball. This will give the plant room to grow for the next two to three years before upgrading to a bigger container.
Overwintering
Hollies are quite hardy in their appropriate zones. To protect them from the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter, apply several inches of mulch over the roots. The mulch should extend out as wide as the branches do. Very young plants can be lightly wrapped at the base with burlap for further protection.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Holly can be troubled by leaf miners and spider mites. Treat the mites with manual removal; this might be accomplished with a strong blast of water. Leaf miners might need permethrin sprays to eradicate them. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential issues as well.
