'D'Or' is a female cultivar of Chinese holly ( Ilex cornuta ) and a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is the most commonly available, yellow-fruited, large holly. This holly is tolerant of most soils except poorly drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is tolerant of heat and humidity and is drought tolerant once established, making it a good choice for the south. Prune in the late winter to control its size if needed. Mature plants do not tolerate root disturbance, so it is best to site the plant in its permanent position, preferably one that provides winter protection for the first year or two. Include a pollinizer (a male cultivar of Chinese holly) to ensure ample fruits. ‘D’Or’ is a large plant, so allow ample room for it to grow. The yellow fruit and evergreen leaves make for outstanding winter interest in the landscape. The spiny leaves make this a good choice for a barrier or privacy screen or use as an impenetrable hedge. It can also be planted as a specimen, used in small groups, or planted along a foundation. Use it in an Asian or winter garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Holly leafminer, scale, whitefly, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential disease problems. However, it is resistant to phytophthora root rot. Depending on their planting location this shrub can exhibit chlorosis, leaf drop, or leaf scorch from high pH soils. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. More information on Ilex cornuta .
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.
Often confused withIlex cornuta 'Burfordii'
Fills a similar nicheIlex 'Nellie R. Stevens'Ilex x koehneana 'Martha Berry'Ilex x meserveae
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
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
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Prickly; Waxy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, lustrous, dark olive green leaves; terminal spine.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Not particularly showy, small, creamy white flowers in late spring to early summer. Male and female flowers are on different plants (dioecious).
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Golden yellow, 1/3 inch berry-like drupes. They are produced on female plants. Fruits persist into winter.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth gray bark becoming finely flakey with size.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Slender, green stems turning reddish-green in the winter, buds small, leaf scar with 1 bundle scar. Branchlets are dense.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eastern China, Korea
Distribution
Southeastern United States
Wildlife value
Chinese holly's mature size, well-branched growth, and dense prickly foliage make the tree ideal year-round shelter for small animals. Yellow fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Buffer; Sound; Wildlife Food Source; Wind Break
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Winter
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Security; Specimen