The Needlepoint Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint') is a popular evergreen shrub known for its distinctive, spiny foliage and attractive red berries. This versatile plant is often used for hedging, privacy screens, or as a specimen in the landscape.
Native to China and Korea, the Needlepoint Chinese Holly is a slow-growing, compact evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height and width of 6 to 8 feet. It is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9, making it a great choice for a variety of climates. This hardy plant is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, and prefers well-draining soil. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade, although the best berry production occurs in full sun.
The foliage of the Needlepoint Chinese Holly is one of its most distinctive features. The evergreen leaves are glossy, dark green, and have a unique shape with elongated, pointed lobes that give the plant its name. The spiny leaves provide a textured appearance, making it an attractive choice for year-round interest in the garden. Additionally, the dense foliage makes the Needlepoint Chinese Holly an excellent option for privacy screens, hedges, or windbreaks.
Although not particularly showy, the Needlepoint Chinese Holly does produce small, inconspicuous white flowers in the spring. These blooms are generally hidden among the foliage but are an essential part of the plant's reproductive cycle. As a dioecious plant, the Needlepoint Chinese Holly has separate male and female plants, with only the female plants producing the attractive red berries that follow the flowering period. To ensure fruit production, a male pollinator, such as Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana', should be planted nearby.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Needlepoint Chinese Holly is its production of vibrant red berries, which appear in the fall and persist through the winter. These berries provide a striking contrast against the dark green foliage and add visual interest to the winter garden. In addition to their ornamental value, the berries also serve as an important food source for birds and other wildlife during the colder months.
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