cornuta

They don't landscape like they used to. Funny enough I was driving through that part of Baltimore today. (not a place I usually go) Lots of nice old BLEs.

It’s lovely, Sam.

OK I dusted off my copy of Hillier's Manual and here's what it said:

I. cornuta - Leaves of a particular, rectangular form, mainly 5-spined. The large, red fruits are rarely abundant.

I. cornuta 'Burfordii' - a small, very free-fruiting shrub of compact growth with shining green, leathery leaves which, except for a short, terminal spine, are entire. Female

based on that, I'm calling it Burford Holly. I have never seen such a fruit display on a holly, I'm guessing it doesn't need a pollinator.

One reason for the pleasing habit and abundant fruit display, the plant has mostly been left alone. We rarely see Burford Holy like this. They are usualy hacked back and/or meatballed. Nice to see this one has escaped that treatment.

The Burfords all put on a nice berry display this year. It probably has something to do with the last mild winter and good bud development. Not the best shot of a not-the-best-maintained Burford in my neighbhorhood.

I. cornuta 'Burfordii fruitsalot'

They bloom early, so timing of late frosts is critical. Yours must have missed a late frost.