Burford Holly

Sun/part shade; evergreen. The holly leaves bear a sharp spine at the tip; ornamental red berries appear in late fall and winter. An excellent foundation plant, fairly tolerant of partial shade around houses, Burford holly prefers deeper soils and some moisture (it does well in Houston). Without supplemental irrigation, it will typically not endure in thin soil or full sun, i.e., north of 1604 in San Antonio, for long.

On its own Burford holly develops a tall tree-like trunk. For a more rounded, compact form (up to six feet tall) see “Dwarf Burford.”