Burford’s Holly (Ilex cornuta Burford!) is one of the few hollies to perform satisfactorily the whole length of the West Coast.
It and the other hollies do superbly in the Northwest and fairly well in California’s fog zone. Still, for Southern California and the central valleys, Burford’s holly and its type, I. cornuta, are the best choice.
Fruiting Plant Variety
If possible, find a fruiting plant, for although almost all produce large red berries, a sterile plant is occasionally found. You can buy them in gallon or 5-gallon cans.
This variety is not a fast grower, but in the best of holly climates, it reaches 20′ feet.
It is valued for its large glossy leaves, which are oblong and broad, slightly twisted and smooth-edged, with a spine at each corner of the wide blunt tip.
It makes a good hedge, can be trimmed into a pillar, cone, mound, or ball, be used as a tub plant on a patio, or be allowed to grow informally.
The plant in the photograph is over 20 years old and is about 5′ feet tall and 10′ feet wide. Its branches have been added.
Risk Of Transplanting Hollies
Hollies are risky subjects to transplant, but if you remove container-grown plants carefully when you cut the can, you will hardly disturb the roots, and growth should continue unchecked.
If the plant you purchase is rootbound, some root pruning may be required, but do it cautiously so as not to break the root ball.
To maintain healthy plants, water frequently during the summer and work a light application of bonemeal into the soil surface around the plants in February and July.
Propagation Of Burford’s Holly
Burford’s holly may be propagated using a sharp knife to take tip cuttings of hardened new growth.
The cuttings are then inserted upright in a moist mixture of sand and peat firmed around them. Propagation may also be by grafts taken in March.
44659 by Lester Rowntree