Horned Holly, Chinese holly
Ilex cornuta
Family: Aquifoliaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Vase.
Ilex cornuta is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Ravines and hills, 150 - 600 metres. Wild places and alongside mountain paths in full sunshine.
E. Asia - E. China, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The fruit is thin-skinned with a sweet taste. Is this report suggesting that it is edible?.The fruit is about 8 - 10mm in diameter.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The whole plant is abortifacient, carminative, contraceptive, febrifuge and tonic. It particularly strengthens the back and knees. The leaf is made into a tea which is said to be contraceptive if used by women and is also used for termination pregnancies. The stem bark is tonic. The whole plant is used in the treatment of arthritis, recurring fever in pulmonary tuberculosis, tubercular lymph nodes, joint pained and lumbago.
Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.
Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating:
Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Espalier, Pest tolerant, Screen, Standard, Specimen, Street tree. Succeeds in most soils that are not water-logged. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. Resents root disturbance, especially as the plants get older. It is best to place the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, perhaps giving some winter protection for their first year or two. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if required. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can take 18 months to germinate. Stored seed generally requires two winters and a summer before it will germinate and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold stratification may speed up the germination time. The seedlings are rather slow-growing. Pot them up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first year. It is possible to plant them out into a nursery bed in late spring of the following year, but they should not be left here for more than two years since they do not like being transplanted. Alternatively, grow them on in their pots for a second season and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them a good mulch and some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel, August in a shaded position in a cold frame. Leave for 12 months before potting up. Layering in October. Takes 2 years.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, the fruits of at least some members of this genus contain saponins and are slightly toxic. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stupor if eaten in quantity.