How to Grow Burford Holly Shrub - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Burford holly shrub is an evergreen plant that belongs to the family Aquifoliaceae. It is native to Eastern Asia, specifically China, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world. The plant grows to a height of 10-15 feet and has dark green, glossy leaves. Its white flowers appear in late spring or early summer, and are followed by small, black berries.

How to Grow Burford Holly Shrub - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • Ilex x burfordii
  • Burford holly
  • Burfordii holly
  • English holly
  • Christmas holly

Good to Know

  • Burford holly is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall.
  • It has dark green, spiny leaves that are about 3-4 inches long.
  • The flowers are small, white, and appear in clusters.
  • The fruit is a small, red berry that is about 1/4 inch in diameter.
  • Burford holly is native to the southeastern United States.
  • It is often used as an ornamental plant in landscaping.
  • The burford holly shrub is also known as the Christmas holly.
  • It is considered to be an evergreen tree because it retains its leaves year-round.
  • The burford holly is not a true holly species, but is in the holly family.
  • The burford holly is sometimes confused with the yaupon holly, which is a similar plant.

Planting Process

  1. For burford holly shrub, first step is to find a spot that has well-drained soil and gets full sun.
  2. Next, you need to dig a hole that is twice the size of the roots ball of your plant.
  3. After that, you can mix some compost or other organic matter into the hole.
  4. Then, you can plant your burford holly shrub in the hole and backfill it with soil.
  5. Water the plant well after planting.
  6. Put a layer of mulch around the plant, but not touching the stems.
  7. Fertilize the plant in early spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertilizer.
  8. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring to shape it.
  9. The plant may produce berries, but they are not edible.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful burford holly shrub!

Related plant:
Burford Holly

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, the Burford holly shrub prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate average to poor drainage. This shrub is adaptable to a range of soil types including sandy, loamy and clay soils. It is also tolerant of salt and alkaline soils.

About light

So, like the other hollies, the Burford holly shrub does best in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least six hours of direct sun each day to thrive. It's a good idea to provide some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of the burford holly shrub is one that is warm, but not too hot. This shrub can tolerate some degree of cold weather, but it will not thrive in an environment that is too cold. The burford holly shrub prefers to grow in an area that receives full sun, but it can also tolerate some shade.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. However, the plant can tolerate some drying out between watering. If the leaves start to turn brown and curl, this is a sign that the plant is not getting enough water.

The Fertilizer

The fertilizer, this kind of plant food, is important to the growth of the holly shrub. The roots are the part of the plant that draws water and nutrients from the soil. Fertilizing helps replenish theseessential materials, resulting in a healthier, more robust plant.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your burford holly shrub healthy and looking its best. Pruning not only helps to keep the shrub’s size under control, but also encourages new growth and helps to keep the plant’s shape tidy. When pruning burford holly shrubs, it’s important to use sharp, clean pruning shears and to make sure that you make clean, sharp cuts. Also, be sure to prune back to a healthy bud or branch, and never prune more than one-third of the shrub’s total growth in any given year.

The Propagation

Propagation is best done by seed in the fall, or by softwood cuttings taken in the spring. Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. stratify the seed for 4-6 weeks before planting. Stratify by mixing the seed with moist sand and peat moss, then store it in the refrigerator. Softwood cuttings can be taken from new growth in the spring, using a rooting hormone will improve success. Place the cuttings in moist sand and peat moss and keep them in a shaded, humid area until they have rooted.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the soil type and moisture content. While some species of holly can grow in a wide range of soil conditions, others are much more particular. Moisture is also a critical factor in holly growth rate. Some species of holly require very little water, while others will die without regular watering.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are canker and leaf spot. Canker is a black or brown dead area on the stem of the plant. Leaf spot is black or brown spots on the leaves. These problems can be caused by too much water, poor drainage, or heavy pruning.

Basics of Growing

  • Do not forget to water your holly regularly. The most important thing for holly is to keep the soil moist.
  • Fertilize your holly every few weeks during the growing season.
  • Prune your holly regularly to encourage new growth and keep it looking tidy.
  • Holly does best in full sun to partial shade.
  • Holly is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but it is important to keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
  • Holly can be susceptible to root rot, so make sure the soil is well-drained.
  • If you live in an area with deer, you may need to take steps to protect your holly from being eaten.
  • Holly berries can be poisonous to humans and animals if consumed in large quantities, so be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets.
  • Holly is often used as an ornamental plant in landsc

Alternative Plants

  • Boxwood hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery
  • Boxwood hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery. Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario
  • Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario. Topiary hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery
  • Topiary hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery. Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario
  • Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario. Beech hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery
  • Beech hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery. Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario
  • Evergreen Nursery Burford Ontario. Boxwood hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery
  • Boxwood hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery. Topiary hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery
  • Topiary hedges and shrubs by Burford Nursery.

Source:
Dwarf Burford Holly | Woody Plant Finder | Comprehensive …
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii': Burford Holly1 - academia.edu
Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’: Burford Holly - University of Florida

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category