Evergreen Shrub – Buford Chinese Holly

Buford Chinese Holly 

Botanical name: Ilexcornuta 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 3-33 ft in height with up to a 10 ft spread 

Hardy zone: zones 8-10 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: white 

Bloom time: spring 

Growth rate: grows 1-2 ft per year 

Pruning instructions: prune in the late winter/early spring, right before the end of dormancy season to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings in the spring and summer months 

Landscape use: hedge, privacy, foundation planting 

Special features: produces non-edible ornamental red berries, disease resistant, pest resistant, deer resistant 

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a hollytone or a tree and shrub slow-release fertilizer once a year in the early spring before new growth begins to emerge 

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: loam, sand 

Companion plants: boxwoods, lavender, clematis, loropetalum 

Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no