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Kashi Holly

Ilex chinensis (EYE-leks chy-NEN-sis)

Family: Aquifoliaceae Non-native Canopy (>40 ft)

Kashi holly is a large species of holly native to eastern China, Vietnam and Japan. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). The specific epithet is Latin for “of China.” Kashi holly should be watered regularly for consistently moist soil. However, it does not tolerate either overwatering or soil that is allowed to dry out. It will grow in full sun and partial shade. It is typically grown for its attractive foliage and colorful fruits. You should also choose a site for this tree with care because the tree can reach heights of 40 feet or more and does not take well to root disruption or replanting. The plant can be pruned to shape; however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and berries will appear on new growth. A cultivar of this species, ‘Cherry Ice’, was selected by Tony Avent at Plant Delights Nursery. ‘Cherry Ice’ is self-fertile and does not require a pollinizer to set fruit. This species can be used in foundation plantings or as specimen or accent trees. It is suitable for an Asian, winter or pollinator garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or pest issues. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. More information on Ilex .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 75 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 1 - Canopy (>40 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Native alternatives Ilex amelanchier Ilex cassine

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are 2 to 4.2 inches long, alternate, and simple. New growth is typically bronze maturing to green.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small purplish pink to red flowers that blossom in late spring or early summer.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Shiny red fruit that attracts birds and other wildlife in winter.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Bark detail
Dark gray, thin.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Current year’s branchlets gray, terete, thinly angular; older branchlets glabrous, with crescent-shaped, convex leaf scars; lenticels obscure, small.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South China to Vietnam, Central and South Japan, Taiwan
Distribution
South East Asia
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Drupe

Edibility

Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Lawn; Meadow; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Mass Planting; Shade Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#specialized bees #evergreen #nectar plant #heat tolerant #deer resistant #pollinator plant #bee friendly #interesting bark #large tree #wildlife friendly #hortcontest #th-touch #th-wildlife
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Heat
Propagation
Layering; Seed; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Fruits
Poison symptoms
Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
Toxic principle
Saponins
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Fruits

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.