Carissa Holly

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(4+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

4-6 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 9

Carissa Holly forms a dense evergreen mound with glossy dark green leaves. Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, staying compact enough for borders, entrances, and mass plantings. Each leathery leaf has one small spine at the tip, so it offers a cleaner texture than many sharper hollies. Our landscape designer uses it as a boxwood substitute in warm climates for year-round green structure.

This dwarf Chinese holly is slow to moderate growing and naturally rounded, so it usually needs far less shaping than taller hedge shrubs. Small fragrant white flowers appear in spring and sometimes produce red berries in fall and winter when pollinated. Carissa Holly is deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established, and noted for strong landscape durability in southern gardens. Plant it as a low hedge, foundation shrub, mass planting, container evergreen, mixed border backdrop, or compact screen.

Carissa Holly Care

Plant Carissa Holly in full sun to partial shade, with fuller growth and a tighter hedge form in brighter light. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil but adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soil when drainage is good. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is preferred, while poorly drained sites can lead to root problems.

Water thoroughly at planting to rehydrate the root ball. During the first few months, water deeply a few times each week as roots move into the surrounding soil. Mature plants need irrigation mainly during hot, dry weather, especially in sandy soil or container plantings. Fertilize in late winter or early spring with a slow-release fertilizer for hollies or acid-loving shrubs. Mulch 1 to 2 inches deep around the root zone to conserve moisture, keeping the base clear.

Prune Carissa Holly in late winter or early spring for heavier shaping, or shear lightly after new spring growth hardens for a formal hedge. Remove any shoots that revert to a spiny-leaved form so the plant keeps its cleaner Carissa foliage. Wear gloves when trimming because the leaf tips can still prick hands during close work.

Carissa Holly Spacing

Space Carissa Holly 3 to 4 feet apart for a low hedge or dense mass planting. Allow 5 to 6 feet between shrubs when using each plant as a separate rounded accent. For containers, choose a pot at least 18 to 22 inches wide with drainage holes, and use a well-drained shrub potting mix.

In sunny foundation beds, use Carissa Holly behind dianthus and sea thrift, where low flowers can sit in front of the glossy evergreen foliage. Plant Indian hawthorn nearby as another compact warm-climate shrub with spring flowers and similar sun exposure. In containers, use zinnia or lantana for seasonal color around the holly in bright sites.

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