Shrubs · Hollies
Carissa Holly
Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'
In USDA zones 7b–8a around Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, Carissa Holly is a shrub used in Triangle yards when mature size, sun, and drainage fit the bed. Piedmont clay rewards a wide planting hole, a slightly high crown, and steady first-season water. Give it the open sky it wants; west-facing walls in July still cook tender foliage. It is often used for screening or evergreen structure along property lines. Fall planting is the usual window here; water through the first summer no matter the calendar.
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Key facts for the Triangle
- Botanical name
- Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'
- Common name
- Carissa Holly
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Group
- Hollies
- Hardiness here
- USDA 7b–8a (Raleigh–Durham Triangle)
- Light
- Part sun / part shade
- Water
- Deep, consistent water while establishing
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Leaf habit
- Evergreen
- Best planting window
- Fall (October–November) in the Piedmont; spring after frost as backup
Overview
Carissa Holly is a shrubs selected for landscape use where its mature habit, ornamental traits, and site preferences fit the planting area.
At a glance
Sun
Water & soil
Wildlife
Foliage & season
Habit & use
Common questions
Is Carissa Holly a good plant for Raleigh and the Triangle?
Yes—when the site matches its light and drainage needs. Carissa Holly is used in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary landscapes in USDA zones 7b–8a. Confirm mature width, overhead wires, and how wet the Piedmont clay stays after storms before you plant.
When should I plant Carissa Holly in North Carolina?
Fall (October–November) is the safest window for Carissa Holly in the Piedmont: soil is still warm, air is cooler, and roots can grow before summer. Spring after the last frost works if you can water deeply through the first hot season.
Will Carissa Holly grow in Piedmont clay?
It can, with careful planting: wide hole, crown slightly above grade, and no water sitting on the root flare. Heavy, poorly drained clay is the usual failure mode—not summer heat alone.
Does Carissa Holly lose its leaves in winter?
No. Carissa Holly is evergreen and keeps foliage year-round, which is why it is used for winter structure and screening in Triangle yards.
How much sun does Carissa Holly need?
It performs best in full sun—about 6 or more hours of direct light. Afternoon shade can help in reflected-heat courtyards, but too little sun usually means weaker flowering or open growth.