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

blue holly

Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCESS

Blue holly (Ilex meserveae Blue Princess) is an evergreen shrub with an abundant display of vibrant blue-green foliage. It grows 3 to 8 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 4 feet wide. In late spring, small white flowers bloom and are followed by purplish-blue berries in autumn. It is highly versatile and makes an attractive addition to both formal and informal gardens. Its rich green colour provides an excellent winter interest while its abundant berries bring a splash of colour in the cooler months. Its dense evergreen foliage makes an ideal foundation planting, boundary screening or wind break. Easy to grow and low maintenance, the Blue Princess offers year-round colour and aesthetic appeal.

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

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Blue holly (Ilex meserveae BLUE PRINCESS) should be watered thoroughly once per week. During the summer months, it is important to water every 4-5 days to keep the soil moist to ensure the optimal growth. During the winter, water the blue holly only when the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure the soil is allowed to drain well after watering, as this shrub does not do well in wet, soggy soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues.

sunlight

Blue holly, also known as Ilex meserveae Blue Princess, is a slow-growing shrub native to the United Kingdom. It requires full sun in order to thrive and has a preference for well-drained soil. Blue holly needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day in order to sustain growth, with optimal sun exposure being 8 or more hours per day. This plant is fairly shade tolerant, but flowering is unlikely if it does not receive enough sunlight. During the summer months, Blue holly enjoys the longest days filled with sunlight.

pruning

Blue holly should be pruned once a year, in the early spring before the new growth emerges. Pruning should be sporadic and judicious, removing only a few branches at a time, and only the oldest and most overgrown branches. This helps to maintain the shrub's compact form and encourages denser foliage. It is important not to cut too much; Blue holly can tolerate regular pruning, but too much will cause damage and can stunt the plant's growth.

Season

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

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

Starts Flowering

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

Hardiness Map