Ilex cornuta furcata (Chinese or Horned Holly)

A slow growing and dense shrub to small tree which can grow to roughly 3 metres. The distinctive leaves have pronounced spines or horns. The large red berries are borne on female plants.

Best grown in full sun to partial shade. Happy on most free draining soils.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.