A mature Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Barrier · Foundation · Hedge · Small tree · Specimen · Lawn · Asian · Drought tolerant

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Burford Holly

Ilex cornuta · Shrub

Burford Holly is a fast-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 7-9, that matures to about 8–15 ft × 8–15 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect white blooms in spring. It attracts bees, pollinators and songbirds, stands up well to deer and drought and heat.

USDA zones: 7-9
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 8–15 ft × 8–15 ft
Growth rate: Fast
Maintenance: Medium
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color: White
Bloom season: Spring
Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Songbirds
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Pollution
Toxic to: People
Native to: Eastern China, Korea

Will it survive your winters?

We score Burford Holly’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9