Manjša, gosta, pokončna zimzelena grmovnica (V 1,2-1,5 m, Š 2-2,5 m). Veje delno pokončne, starejše vodoravne, lahko rahlo povešene, lubje temno olivno zeleno, na starejših vejah sivo. Listi ovalni do široko suličasti (5-7 cm), usnjati, gladki, z močno trnato nazobčanim (ali gladkim) robom, bleščeči, zeleni z belimi lisami in obrobo. Cvetovi neopazni, beli, drobni; ženski in moški enospolni cvetovi (večinoma) na ločenih rastlinah, dvodomna vrsta. Plodovi okrogli (4-6 mm), mesnati, gladki, bleščeče živo rdeči, jesenski in zimski okras. Zorenje: september-oktober. Privablja ptice. Potrebuje zavetno lego.
Plants from this group grow equally good in different positions, regardless of solar radiation. Usually they need more moisture in sunny than in shady undergorwth and they can bloom more exuberant.
Decidious have woody stems (i. e. tree trunk and branches) and are also called woody plants or trees. Leaves are normally broad, soft and thin.
Leaves or needles remain on the plant for several consecutive years, usually 2 to 5 years. Our descriptions contain the word evergreen.
Plant can in otherwise appropriate environment survive cold down to - 23 °C.
Porous or dry soils are normally light and loose, there is no stagnant water but relatively quickly flows in deeper layers; such ground are more airy and warmer, yet drier and usually contain less humus and for such undergrowth it is often to for drought to appear (e. g. rockgardens, walls, by paths and roads, on gravel, also on gravel surface in towns and close to buildings ...), plants of such undergrowth need well-drained soil, they tolerate drought but cannot tolerate constant moisture or even flooding.
Woody plant, normally branched at the ground level into several side stems, usually lacks of a dominant stem. Tree top can be of different shapes, dense or thin, symetric or uneven. Most shrubs reach a height of 1 to 2 metres, but some can grow much higher (up to 8 m); some can grow into very low or carpet-like forms.
Variegated leaves show patterns of different colours, mostly white or yellow pattern on green base. Patterns can appear in forms of stripes, dots, patches, trims, uneven shapes, or colour is splashed over leaf surface; different colour patterns may have sharp borderlines or change softly one to another. Colour intensivity and needle/leaves patterns formation on certain plant may vary greatly according to general plant health and condition, age, maintanance (trimming and care); other factors such as weather, microclimate, sun or shade, presence of plant nutrients and water may also affect greatly on leaf colour. Colouring and patterns on leaves may be affected - changed - by the age of certain leaf or twig and through seasons.
