Blue Holly (Ilex × meserveae) – Cold-Hardy Evergreen with Striking Blue-Green Foliage

Bring year-round color and texture to your landscape with Blue Holly (Ilex × meserveae), a cold-hardy evergreen prized for its glossy blue-green leaves, bright red berries, and excellent adaptability. With its dense growth habit and striking foliage, this holly variety is perfect for hedges, borders, foundation plantings, and ornamental displays.

Key Features:

• Unique Blue-Green Foliage – Adds a distinctive touch to gardens with its deep, glossy leaves and spiny texture.
• Bright Red Berries – Female plants produce clusters of ornamental red berries, attracting birds and providing seasonal interest.
• Cold-Hardy & Resilient – Thrives in cold climates, making it a reliable choice for northern gardens.
• Year-Round Evergreen Beauty – Maintains its lush foliage throughout the year, offering constant visual appeal.
• Ideal for Hedges & Screens – Dense, upright growth makes it great for privacy screens, windbreaks, and foundation plantings.

Product Details:

• Botanical Name: Ilex × meserveae
• Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
• Mature Height: 6–10 feet
• Mature Width: 4–8 feet
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Pollination: Requires a male pollinator (such as ‘Blue Prince’) for female plants to produce berries

Planting Instructions:

• Seed Preparation: Cold stratify seeds for 60–90 days before planting.
• Sowing: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil; space shrubs 4–6 feet apart for hedges.
• Germination: Keep soil consistently moist; germination may take 6–12 months.
• Transplanting: Move seedlings to their final location once well-rooted.

Care & Maintenance:

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during the first year; drought-tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.
• Fertilizing: Apply an acidic, slow-release fertilizer in early spring for best growth.
• General Care: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots in colder climates.

With its stunning blue-green foliage, vibrant berries, and cold tolerance, Blue Holly is an excellent choice for adding beauty, structure, and year-round interest to any garden.