1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Ilex x aquipernyi is a dense columnar evergreen holly of hybrid origin between the English and Perny hollies, ten to twenty feet high and four to six feet wide. Narrowly elliptic-oblong spined leaves a little over an inch long cover greenish-brown stems, and small spring flowers give quarter-inch red berries that ripen in autumn and hold into winter.
It inherits the glossy dark foliage and heavy berry set of English holly but on a naturally narrow columnar frame, which is what makes it useful where a broad holly will not fit. Berries need a male pollinator nearby, and NCSU records the genus supporting the specialist bee Colletes banksi as well as feeding songbirds through winter.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
180 inches
Width
60 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Garden hybrid of Eurasian species
Toxicity
Berries toxic if eaten
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in full sun or partial shade in drained soil.
- Include a male holly nearby for berries.
- Water while establishing; then it is undemanding.
- Prune lightly in late winter to shape.
- Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
- Site it clear of paths; the leaves are spined.
Pro Tip
No male holly nearby means no berries at all — the female plant flowers perfectly well and simply sets nothing.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant a male pollinator nearby 🌳
- Prune lightly in late winter ✂️
- Mulch to keep roots cool 🍂
- Use it where width is limited 📏
Don't
- Expect berries without a male ❌
- Plant it beside a narrow path ❌
- Prune it hard into old wood ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enjoy | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Chinese Hybrid Holly questions
What zones can Chinese Hybrid Holly grow in?
Chinese Hybrid Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Chinese Hybrid Holly deer resistant?
Yes — Chinese Hybrid Holly is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Chinese Hybrid Holly bloom?
Chinese Hybrid Holly typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Chinese Hybrid Holly need full sun?
Chinese Hybrid Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Ilex to compare
Gem Box Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra 'Gem Box'
Sky Pencil Holly
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'
Dwarf Pagoda Holly
Ilex crenata 'Dwarf Pagoda'
Mr Poppins Holly
Ilex x meserveae 'Mr Poppins'
Blue Holly Berry Poppins
Ilex x meserveae 'Berry Poppins'
Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra 'Squeeze Box'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Chinese Hybrid Holly with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.