Ilex x meserveae, blue-leaved hybrid holly
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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Ilex x meserveae

blue-leaved hybrid holly

Aquifoliaceae

Hybrid of garden origin (Ilex aquifolium × Ilex rugosa); does not occur in the wild

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

A broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) wide at maturity, with a dense, rounded to pyramidal form. Growth rate is moderate, adding 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) per year. This hybrid group was developed by crossing Ilex aquifolium with I. rugosa, combining the ornamental foliage of English holly with the cold hardiness of the northeast Asian species. Leaves are ovate to oblong, 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long and 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) wide, with wavy margins bearing prominent spines. Foliage is a distinctive blue-green to dark blue-green, glossier and deeper in color than typical English holly. Young stems and petioles have a purple to blue-purple cast, a distinguishing characteristic of this hybrid group. Dioecious: male and female cultivars are sold separately. Female cultivars produce bright red drupes approximately 0.25-0.3 inches (6-8 mm) in diameter, ripening in fall and persisting through winter when pollinated by a nearby male. Bark is smooth and gray-green. Hardy to approximately -20°F (-29°C), substantially hardier than I. aquifolium. The most widely sold cultivars include 'Blue Prince' (male) and 'Blue Princess' (female). Susceptible to holly leaf miner, scale, and spider mites, though generally less affected by pests than I. aquifolium in colder zones.

Native Range

A hybrid of garden origin, created in the 1950s by Kathleen Meserve of Long Island, New York, by crossing Ilex aquifolium (English holly, native to Europe and western Asia) with Ilex rugosa (Tsuru holly, native to Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and northern Japan). Does not occur in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a formal or informal hedge, foundation planting, or specimen shrub at 4-6 foot (1.2-1.8 m) spacing. Male and female cultivars are typically planted in proximity for berry production on females. Suitable for use as a screening plant or in mixed shrub borders. Tolerates urban pollution and partial shade. Not invasive, as the hybrid produces fewer viable seeds than I. aquifolium.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Ilex aquifolium by the distinctly blue-green foliage color (vs. pure dark green in English holly), purple to blue-purple young stems and petioles, and a more compact, dense habit. Leaves are 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long, smaller than typical I. aquifolium leaves. Compared to Ilex crenata, the Meserve hollies have prominently spiny leaf margins and larger leaves. The combination of blue-green foliage, purple young stems, and spiny leaves of moderate size is diagnostic for this hybrid group.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread6' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

blue green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Small white flowers appear in May to June in axillary clusters on the previous year's growth. Individual flowers are approximately 0.25 inches (6 mm) across. Bloom lasts 2-3 weeks. Male cultivars ('Blue Prince', 'Blue Stallion') produce pollen; female cultivars ('Blue Princess', 'Blue Maid') produce berries when pollinated. One male plant within 30-50 feet (9-15 m) can pollinate multiple females. Flowers attract bees but are not the primary ornamental feature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Blue-green to dark blue-green, glossy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade; at least 4-6 hours of direct sun produces the densest growth and heaviest berry set on female plants. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate moderate drought but berry production and foliage quality decline during prolonged dry periods. Mulch root zone with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of organic material. Both a male and female plant must be present for berry production; one male pollinates 6-10 females within a 30-50 foot (9-15 m) radius. Holly leaf miner causes serpentine mines in leaves; damage is cosmetic. Spider mites may cause stippled foliage in hot, dry conditions. Foliage may bronze in winter in exposed, windy sites, particularly in zones 4-5, but recovers in spring.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth begins to shape and maintain desired size. Tolerates shearing for formal hedging; shape in mid-summer after the spring growth flush has hardened. Responds well to hard rejuvenation pruning to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in late winter; regrowth emerges from latent buds within one growing season. Trim lightly after the spring growth flush to maintain a formal shape. Avoid pruning after August to prevent stimulating tender growth vulnerable to winter damage.

Pruning Schedule

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Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans