Ilex cornuta (syn. 'Needlepoint') 'ANICET DELCAMBRE' Chinese holly - female, self-fertile
size/type
medium-sized shrub,taller shrub
usual height
2-3m
usual width
1,5-2,5m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
location
full sun to shade
soil type
acidic (peaty) to neutral
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
6b (down to -21°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Hollies are among the most common evergreen and native plants of milder parts of Europe with high humidity – British Isles, north France, Benelux countries, and milder parts of north Germany. Various species form trees, shrubs or thickets. They are absent from natural Central European landscape but can be cultivated without problems. Chinese holly is renowned for its horned foliage with three sharp tips but several cultivars of different leaf shapes were raised or selected. It is very tolerant of heat and drought which makes it a sought-after species in the Mediterranean.
Description of the plant:
Anicet Delcambre is a Chinese holly often sold under its alternative English name Needlepoint. Its leaves almost completely lack sharp spines, they are entire with only one tip. They emerge soft green and remain such for a long time until they mature in late summer to dark green. They are very glossy and cover the plant entirely. Anicet Delcambre is a female but self-fertile variety producing numerous red berries in autumn (not edible, not poisonous but contain saponins which cause severe discomfort if eaten). The origin of this variety is unfortunately intractable but is believed to be a natural hybrid rather than a pure Chinese holly variety owing to its foliage shape as well as better hardiness. It forms dense, slow growing, rounded to oval shrubs. Being compact it does not require pruning but can be kept smaller by midsummer shearing. Spring pruning enhances branching.
Chinese holly is somewhat more soil adaptable compared to English holly, it can take almost any well-drained soil but will do best in acid soil with plenty of organic matter. Being drought tolerant it does not need summer mulching but needs it for winter to cope with C.E. winters. It can reliably withstand -21°C (USDA zone 6b) and is expected to do a little better.
Last update 22-08-2020
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
