Dwarf Burford Holly Live Plant – 6-12″ Tall, 1 Quart Pot, Evergreen Shrub

Overview

Introduce lasting elegance and structure to your landscape with the dwarf burford holly live plant. This robust and versatile evergreen shrub, scientifically known as Ilex cornuta ‘Dwarf Burford’, is celebrated for its dense, glossy dark green foliage and prolific display of bright red berries, which provide a splash of color throughout the winter months. As a compact variety, the dwarf burford holly live plant is an excellent choice for a variety of garden applications, from creating neat, low-maintenance hedges to defining borders or serving as an attractive specimen in containers. It’s an ideal solution for gardeners seeking year-round visual interest and natural privacy without extensive upkeep. This starter plant, currently 6-12 inches tall in a 1 quart pot, is ready to establish itself in your garden and grow into a beautiful, mature specimen.

Originating from Eastern Asia, this cultivar has adapted well to various climates and growing conditions, making it a reliable choice for many regions across the United States. Its ability to thrive in both full sun and partial shade, coupled with its drought tolerance once established, contributes to its popularity among both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you’re planning a formal garden design or a more naturalistic setting, the dwarf burford holly live plant provides the perfect blend of aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, making it a great addition as an evergreen holly shrub.

Key Benefits

The dwarf burford holly live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a standout choice for any garden or landscape project. Its adaptability and aesthetic qualities contribute significantly to its wide appeal, providing a beautiful and functional low maintenance landscape plant.

• Year-Round Visual Appeal: With its vibrant, glossy dark green leaves, this evergreen shrub provides consistent color and texture throughout all seasons. The striking red berries that appear in winter offer a beautiful contrast against the foliage, making it a focal point even during colder months. This continuous beauty ensures your garden remains lively and appealing year-round.
• Excellent for Privacy and Hedges: The dense growth habit of the dwarf burford holly live plant makes it an ideal candidate for creating natural screens, low hedges, and borders. Its compact size means it won’t outgrow its space quickly, requiring less frequent pruning while still offering effective visual barriers.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this holly variety requires minimal care. It is relatively drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, reducing the need for constant watering or chemical treatments. This makes it a great option for gardeners seeking beauty without significant effort, truly a low maintenance landscape plant.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Beyond hedges, the ilex cornuta dwarf burford can be used in a variety of settings. It performs beautifully as a foundation plant, in mass plantings, as a specimen in small gardens, or even in large containers on patios or balconies, adding structure and evergreen appeal.
• Attracts Wildlife: The bright red berries are not only ornamental but also serve as a valuable food source for various bird species during the winter, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden ecosystem, making it an attractive winter berry plant.
• Adaptable to Various Conditions: This plant shows good tolerance to heat and humidity, and it can grow in a range of soil types, from clay to sandy, provided there is adequate drainage. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, offering flexibility in planting locations.
• Drought Tolerance: After its initial establishment period, the dwarf burford holly live plant becomes quite drought-tolerant, making it a water-wise choice for sustainable landscaping.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your dwarf burford holly live plant is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Understanding its specific needs will ensure a healthy and thriving plant that provides beauty for years to come. This robust evergreen prefers a location where it can receive full sun to partial shade. For the most vibrant foliage and abundant berry production, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light may result in sparser growth and fewer berries. When it comes to soil, the evergreen holly shrub suggests well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It is quite adaptable to various soil types, including clay, as long as it doesn’t remain waterlogged. A slightly acidic to neutral pH range is preferred. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.

Watering is key during the first growing season to help the plant establish a strong root system. Water regularly and deeply, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not saturated. Once established, the dwarf burford holly live plant becomes relatively drought-tolerant and will only require occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreen shrubs. Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain its desired shape and size, or to remove any dead or damaged branches. This plant thrives in USDA zones 7–9, indicating its resilience to a range of temperatures; it is tolerant of both heat and humidity. Protect young plants from harsh winter winds in colder parts of its hardiness range. Watch for common pests like scale insects or spider mites, which can typically be managed with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if detected early. Providing proper care will ensure your ilex cornuta dwarf burford remains a vibrant and healthy addition to your landscape.

Size & Details

This offering is for a dwarf burford holly live plant, which arrives as a healthy starter plant measuring approximately 6-12 inches tall. It is securely rooted in a 1 quart nursery pot, providing a robust foundation for transplanting and continued growth. The Dwarf Burford Holly is known for its compact growth habit, typically maturing to a height of 6-8 feet and a similar spread, making it an ideal choice for smaller spaces or where controlled growth is desired. It exhibits a moderate growth rate, establishing itself well within the first few seasons and gradually filling out to its mature size. This plant is shipped in its nursery pot, ensuring minimal transplant shock and providing a strong start for your garden. Expect a dense, rounded to upright form that requires minimal shaping once established. The evergreen nature ensures continuous foliage coverage throughout the year, making it a reliable choice for consistent garden structure and a beautiful winter berry plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The dwarf burford holly live plant typically matures to a height of 6-8 feet with a similar spread, forming a dense, rounded shrub. Its compact nature makes it suitable for various landscaping purposes without becoming overgrown.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This starter plant comes in a 1 quart nursery pot, and measures 6-12 inches tall, providing a healthy root system ready for planting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The evergreen holly shrub is primarily an outdoor plant, best suited for landscaping in USDA zones 7-9. It can be grown in containers outdoors.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This holly thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth and berry production, provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the dwarf burford holly live plant care requirements are relatively low once the plant is established. It’s drought-tolerant and generally disease-resistant, making it a good choice for beginners looking for a low maintenance landscape plant.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your ilex cornuta dwarf burford will arrive as a healthy, actively growing starter plant in its nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure safe transit.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: Absolutely! Its hardiness, adaptability, and low maintenance needs make this evergreen holly shrub an excellent choice for those new to gardening.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your dwarf burford holly is in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild, allowing the roots to establish before extreme heat or cold.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 7–9. If you are within these zones, it will typically survive winter outdoors. In colder zones, it may require winter protection or be treated as an annual. It’s a great winter berry plant for these zones.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: The dwarf burford holly can generally tolerate temperatures down to around 0°F to 10°F (-18°C to -12°C) when established within its recommended USDA hardiness zones.