Dwarf Burford Holly
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Moderate (1-2 ft/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Dwarf Burford Holly
Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana') is a compact sport of standard Burford Holly, growing to just 6-8 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide, which makes it far better suited to foundation plantings, low hedges, and smaller Gwinnett County lots than its full-size parent. It keeps the same glossy, single-spined leaves and heavy crop of red fall berries, produced without needing a male pollinator, but stays proportional to a one-story house foundation or a smaller privacy screen along a side yard. Like standard Burford Holly, it is exceptionally tough, tolerating compacted clay, drought, heat, and neglect better than almost any broadleaf evergreen sold in the Atlanta metro. It responds well to shearing for a formal hedge or can be left loosely pruned for a fuller, more natural mounded form. Because it stays smaller without constant pruning, it is one of the lowest-maintenance options for homeowners who want a holly's toughness and berries without the eventual size of standard Burford Holly.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 6-8 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 5-6 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Low — very drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Season | N/A (small spring flowers, grown for foliage) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate (1-2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Dwarf Burford Holly tolerates nearly any well-drained Georgia soil, including clay and compacted subdivision fill dirt. Space plants 3-4 feet apart for a hedge or foundation row. Water weekly for the first growing season; afterward it needs supplemental water only during extended drought. Prune after berries fade in late winter if a tighter shape is desired. Once established in a Gwinnett County landscape, it needs only occasional deep watering during dry stretches rather than a regular irrigation schedule.
Fast Facts
- Compact form: 6-8 ft tall, 5-6 ft wide
- Dwarf sport of standard Burford Holly
- Self-fruiting with reliable red winter berries
- Extremely drought and heat tolerant
- Deer resistant, low-maintenance evergreen
- Ideal for foundation plantings and smaller lots
Pairs Well With
Dwarf Burford Holly FAQs
What is the difference between Burford Holly and Dwarf Burford Holly?
Dwarf Burford Holly stays 6-8 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide, roughly half the size of standard Burford Holly, which reaches 15-20 feet. Both share the same glossy foliage, drought tolerance, and self-fruiting red berries, but the dwarf form suits foundation plantings and smaller yards better.
Is Dwarf Burford Holly deer resistant?
Yes, Dwarf Burford Holly is considered deer resistant, making it a reliable choice for Gwinnett County properties bordering wooded areas with regular deer traffic. As with any "deer resistant" plant, hungry deer in a hard winter may still sample new growth occasionally, but damage is typically minimal.