China Girl Holly in a black nursery pot on gravel, glossy spiny leaves, with more potted shrubs and a hoop house behind.

A broad, loosely branched China Girl Holly in a pine-straw bed, with a small plant label near its base.

Nursery grown

China Girl Holly

Name: China Girl Holly
Brand: China Girl Holly

Ilex x meserveae 'China Girl'

Nursery-Grown China Girl Holly Evergreen Shrub

$98.79 3 GALLON

Size

Quantity1

Provides year-round privacy with dense, spiny foliage and good deer resistance
Thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and adapts well to different soil types
Slow growth keeps it manageable while establishing over a decade or more

Secure checkoutShips in its nursery containerGrowing guides included

About this plant

China Girl Holly is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with dense, spiny foliage and strong landscape versatility. Thrives in USDA zones 5-9, excelling as a privacy hedge, foundation planting, or specimen shrub. Best berry production and foliage density in full sun, though it tolerates part shade. Soil adaptable as long as drainage is adequate. Reaches full mature size in roughly 10-15 years. The berries and leaves are mildly toxic to pets and people if eaten and can cause vomiting and stomach upset.

Your China Girl Holly arrives in a nursery container, ready to transplant. Water thoroughly upon arrival and choose a planting location before the first week ends. If planting during fall or winter dormancy, mulch around the base for root protection. For spring or summer arrivals, water regularly until the plant establishes itself over the first growing season, typically one year.

Putting China Girl Holly to work

It reaches about 10 feet tall and wide, so pick the site with that in mind.

Privacy screen

Space plants 6 to 8 feet apart in a row for a dense, year-round screen.

Windbreak

Its dense dark foliage breaks the wind along an open edge of the property.

Seaside planting

Coastal conditions and some road salt do not bother it, a good fit for a seaside yard.

Winter berries

Bright red berries show on pollinated female plants, adding winter color beside a foundation.

Not ideal for: Shade reduces berries and density, and pots suit only young plants.

Good to know: Berries and leaves are mildly toxic if eaten, so plant away from pets and children's play areas.

China Girl Holly at a glance

Botanical name	Ilex x meserveae 'China Girl'
Plant type	broadleaf evergreen shrub
USDA zones	5-9
Mature height	8-10 ft (can reach 10-15 ft over many decades if left unpruned)
Mature width	6-8 ft
Sun	full sun to part shade; best berry production and densest foliage in full sun
Water	medium/average; regular watering until established, then moderately drought tolerant
Bloom time	late spring (approx. May, varies by region)
Bloom color	white, small and inconspicuous
Growth rate	slow to moderate, roughly 6-12 in/year once established
Deer resistance	good (spiny leaves are a deterrent), though not fully deer-proof, especially with hungry deer or young plants
Best planting time	early spring or early fall, to allow root establishment before temperature extremes

Container sizes explained

#1 / 1 Gallon	A trade one gallon pot (about 6.5 inches). One to two seasons older than a quart, with an established root system.
#2 / 2 Gallon	A trade two gallon pot. Common for peonies and perennials that need root room; usually blooms the first or second year.
#3 / 3 Gallon	A trade three gallon pot (about 10 inches). A well-developed shrub or small tree, often 2 to 4 feet tall on arrival.

Questions before you buy

Should I buy the 2-gallon or 3-gallon size?

Both reach the same mature size over time. The 3-gallon arrives more established and closer to planting-ready; the 2-gallon is a smaller investment for patient growers. Either works well if you water consistently through the first growing season.

When should I plant my China Girl Holly after arrival?

Plant as soon as practical, once the soil is no longer frozen or waterlogged. Early spring or early fall is ideal; winter planting is possible if the ground is workable.

How big does China Girl Holly get?

It matures to 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide over roughly 10-15 years. With no pruning, it can eventually reach 10-15 feet tall over many decades. Regular light pruning keeps it to hedge height or desired form.

Does China Girl Holly need full sun?

Full sun produces the densest foliage and best berry production. Part shade is tolerated.

Can I grow China Girl Holly in my zone?

China Girl Holly thrives in USDA zones 5-9. If you're at the edge of zone 5, site it in a wind-protected spot to shield it from extreme winter fluctuations. Check your local zone to confirm before planting.

What do I do after planting to help it succeed the first year?

Water regularly and deeply through the first growing season to establish roots, then gradually reduce watering frequency as the plant matures. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid heavy fertilizer; the plant adapts well to most soils without amendment.