Species blue holly
Red fruit with maroon stem, green leaves, yellow blades, yellow midrib and veins.

blue holly

Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCE

The blue holly (Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCE) is a distinctive evergreen shrub with striking charcoal-blue foliage. It has an upright, bushy habit with dark green, spiny leaves that are edged with a rich blue tint. This versatile shrub can be grown as an informal hedge or specimen shrub in a wide variety of situations, and its cold-hardiness allows it to thrive in USDA zones 5-8. Although it prefers a well-draining, slightly acidic soil, blue holly is tolerant to a range of soil conditions, and requires minimal maintenance. In late spring and summer, it displays tidy clusters of small white flowers that are followed by a profusion of red berries. The berries are an eye-catching winter feature, and they attract wildlife. Blue holly is a great choice for providing visual interest all year round.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Blue holly (Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCE) prefers consistently moist soil, but it is tolerant of dry periods. Water your Blue Prince holly deeply and thoroughly once per week during times of active growth in the spring and summer. Be sure to check the soil for moisture levels about 2 inches below the surface before you water. If the soil is still moist, you can skip watering that week. During the winter, water deeply and thoroughly every 2 weeks, again checking for moisture levels. Water in the morning for optimal plant health and to deter the development of mildew and other fungal diseases. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root-rot and other serious plant health issues.

sunlight

Blue holly (Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCE) thrives in full sun or partial shade. It should get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. For best growth, blue holly should be exposed to full morning sunlight and some dappled light in the afternoon. This plant prefers a slightly shady area during very hot summer days. In the winter, blue holly requires less sun exposure for optimal health.

pruning

Blue holly (Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCE) should be pruned in late winter before growth begins in spring. Aim to reduce the size of the plant by up to 1-third each year, removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches as you go. Avoid cutting down to the old wood as this will cause the plant to reshoot. For best growth and health of the plant, be sure to keep it well-watered and fertilized during the growing season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Blue Prince holly typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Blue Prince holly typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map