Ilex x. meserveae

Common Name:
Blue Holly

Description:
Ilex × meserveae, commonly known as Blue Holly, is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, deep green to blue-green spiny leaves and its striking red berries in winter. This hybrid holly is known for its cold tolerance and dense, bushy growth, making it an excellent choice for hedging, borders, or specimen planting. Female plants produce bright red berries when pollinated by a nearby male holly, attracting birds and adding seasonal interest. Blue Holly thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and prefers a position in full sun to part shade. It is an excellent choice for structured gardens, providing year-round colour and texture.

Form:

• Shrub - Medium
• Shrub - Large

Mature Size:

• Height: 2–4 metres
• Width: 1.5–3 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• White (small, inconspicuous)

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Hedging
• Bird Attracting (due to berries)
• Evergreen Foliage
• Cold Hardy
• Suitable for Topiary

Toxicity:

• Berries are mildly toxic if ingested, potentially causing stomach upset in humans and pets

Companion Plants:

• Rhododendrons and Azaleas
• Camellia species
• Pieris (Lily of the Valley Shrub)
• Skimmia japonica
• Hosta species