A small leaved Holly, introduced by E.H. Wilson from Sichuan province, China, during an expedition funded by the Arnold Arboretum. It grows amongst forests and woody cover in valleys at about 2100 metres. With a generally pyramidal shape it can reach 5 metres in height.

The leaves are leathery and glabrous making it a lustrous companion to the shrub border. The male and female plants being separate with the female bearing deep red berries.

Most specimens have a narrow columnar form ideal for a smaller garden where a traditional planting of the larger Ilex species would dominate.

Ilex pernyi

Ilex pernyi