1、 Branch stem difference

The branches of boxwood are cylindrical, gray white in color, and the smaller branches are quadrangular, with pubescence on all sides or no hair on the opposite sides outside. The branch shape of holly is also cylindrical, and the color of branchlets is light green and hairless

2、 Blade difference

The leaves of boxwood are leathery and opposite, which are broad oval, ovate oval, broad obovate or oblong. The apex is round or blunt, and there are often small notches, not sharp. The base is round, acute or wedge-shaped, and the lower half is often slightly hairy. The leaves of holly are mostly single and alternate, and few are opposite, which are leathery, membranous or paper. Oval, oblong, ovate or lanceolate, apex acuminate, base cuneate or obtuse, sometimes young leaves serrate