호랑가시나무 '부르포르디'-Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'

과명	Aquifoliaceae (감탕나무과)	속명	Ilex (감탕나무속)
전체학명	Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'	추천명	호랑가시나무 '부르포르디'
이명		외국명	Chinese holly; Horned holly

The Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) is like the native Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria) in some respects, in that it offers many options when landscaping. Chinese holly cultivars range from large screen plants like ‘Burfordii’ to the well-behaved and smaller ‘Carissa.’

 One trademark of most Chinese hollies is the distinctive, glossy dark green leaves with five to nine prominent spines on the margin. These are not minor serrations, but more like sharks’ teeth. Cultivars such as ‘Rotunda’ would make an excellent substitute for barbed wire.

 While the leaves on many cultivars of Chinese holly may be hazardous, they are still very attractive. The very dark leaves have a distinctive luster. In contrast to the small leaves on Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria) or Japanese holly (I. crenata), Chinese holly leaves are larger and therefore provide a coarser texture to the landscape. Like most other hollies, it is a broadleaf evergreen, so there is no fall color.

 Similar to most hollies, the flowers are not worth talking about. The small greenish white flowers appear in late March or early April. Like other hollies, Chinese holly plants are either male or female (referred to as dioecious). Most people want the 1/3” red fruits, so we select female cultivars. No need to bother about purchasing a male pollinator, as there is more than enough pollen floating in the air to get the job done.

The Burford (‘Burfordii’) holly is kind of an exception. Burford holly has a heavy fruit set without pollination (referred to as parthenocarpy). Many gardeners use red-fruited branches during the winter holidays for all kinds of decorating, so Chinese holly serves another purpose at that time of year.