Holly 'Blue Prince/Princess Combo'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$36.99
Title

Transform your winter landscape with the classic elegance of Blue Holly. This regal duo features exceptionally glossy, deep blue-green foliage that shimmers against dramatic, dark purple stems. While 'Blue Prince' provides a lush, dense backdrop, 'Blue Princess' steals the show with a profusion of brilliant, candy-apple red berries that persist through the frost, offering a stunning contrast to the winter snow. Their spiny, architectural leaves maintain their rich colour year-round, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and sophisticated in every season.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

10–15 ft H x 8–10 ft W

Zone:

4-7

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Blue Holly, Meserve Holly, Blue Prince Holly, Blue Princess Holly

Scientific Name:

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince' & 'Blue Princess'

Type:

Ornamental Evergreen Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 8–15 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Dense, broad, upright vase-shaped habit.
  • Growth Rate: Moderately fast (1–2 feet per year once established).
  • Longevity: Can live 40+ years under ideal conditions.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in very hot climates.
  • Soil Preferences: Rich, organic, acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0–7.0).
  • Soil Tolerance: Tolerates a range of soil types, including light or heavy soils, if they drain well.
  • Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish roots.

Special Features:

  • Pollination Requirement: Dioecious; 'Blue Prince' (male) is required to pollinate 'Blue Princess' (female) for berry production (ratio: 1 male for up to 5 females).
  • Resistances: Excellent cold hardiness; reasonably pest-resistant and rabbit-resistant.
  • Uses: Festive winter decorations and cut branches.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers in spring (April–May).
  • Fall/Winter Color: 'Blue Princess' produces abundant bright red berries from fall through winter.
  • Evergreen Interest: Dark blue-green foliage year-round; stems are a decorative deep purple.

Garden Value:

Ideal for privacy hedges, security screens (due to spiny leaves), foundation plantings, and mixed shrub borders.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Critical winter food source for songbirds (like robins and cedar waxwings); provides excellent nesting cover.
  • Human Value: Exceptional privacy screening; berries and foliage are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: 4–6 feet apart for a dense hedge.
  • Location Tips: Site in a location sheltered from harsh, drying winter winds to prevent leaf burn.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Best in full sun to partial shade.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained conditions; do not allow to sit in standing water.
  • Maintenance & Fertilization: Prune in early spring before new growth begins. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants in early spring.

Tolerances:

Tolerant of urban pollution and salt spray.

Tips For Success:

  • Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (like pine needles or bark) to retain moisture and insulate roots.
  • Winter Protection: Use a burlap wrap or anti-desiccant spray in exposed northern areas to prevent winter injury.
  • Soil pH: If leaves turn yellow (chlorosis), apply an acidifying fertilizer.
Fruit Profile