It is the vigorous, young foliage that is prominently spined like a holly. As plants mature, the foliage loses most of its spines and eventually becomes entire, lacking all spines. At this point the plant is distinct from hollies. The evergreen foliage makes this a great plant for inclusion in the mixed shrub border to at winter interest, as a hedge or screen in an appropriate location, or as a formal shrub flanking a side walk or anchoring a corner. Plants can be sheared but do it in winter or spring to avoid removing flower buds.
Plants are easily grow and adaptable in the landscape.
They will tolerate sun to moderate shade and still remain full. The highly variegated cultivars benefit from light shade, particularly during the summer. They grow best in moist soils but are not particularly fussy. This plant is most notable for the small white flowers that are produced at the base of the leaves. You could walk by a plant in full flower and barely notice that it is flowering.