Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ - The evergreen, hardy holly with bright berries
Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Princess’, also known as ‘Blue Princess’ holly, is an extremely robust and decorative evergreen plant that impresses with its glossy dark green, slightly blue shimmering foliage and bright red berries in autumn and winter. This holly is particularly frost-hardy and is ideal as an ornamental shrub, hedge plant or container plant for balconies and patios.
Densely growing shrub with elegant foliage
The growth of the ‘Blue Princess’ holly is bushy, densely branched and upright, making it ideal for privacy hedges or as a solitary highlight in the garden. It reaches a height of around 2 to 3 metres and a width of 1.5 to 2 metres. Its evergreen, leathery leaves have the jagged edges typical of hollies, but they are not too prickly. In winter, the dark, glossy foliage creates a sophisticated look.
Red berries - a highlight in autumn and winter
From May to June, the Ilex ‘Blue Princess’ produces small, inconspicuous, creamy white flowers that are a valuable source of food for bees and other insects. After pollination, the characteristic bright red berries develop, which remain on the plant into the winter and serve as a natural food source for birds. For a rich berry harvest, pollination by a male variety is required, e.g. Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Prince’.
Perfect planting partners for stylish garden designs
Thanks to its dense growth and deep green, glossy foliage, the ‘Blue Princess’ holly is ideal for combining with other shrubs and perennials. It harmonises particularly well with rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas, which have similar habitat requirements. It also creates interesting contrasts when combined with grasses, lavender or ferns. In mixed hedges, it goes wonderfully with boxwood, privet or yew to create a varied structure.
Location and soil - undemanding and easy to care for
The ‘Blue Princess’ holly is extremely adaptable and thrives in both sunny and semi-shady to shady locations. It prefers a humus-rich, well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral soil. Waterlogging should be avoided, so it is advisable to incorporate a drainage layer of sand or gravel if the soil is heavy.
Hardy and easy to care for - a shrub for all seasons
This holly is very hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -25°C. Especially in cold regions, it remains a reliable, evergreen structural plant that brings colour to the garden even in the depths of winter. A light pruning in spring or late summer ensures a compact growth habit, but is not absolutely necessary. Thanks to its low maintenance requirements, it is particularly suitable for low-maintenance gardens and hedge plantings.
A robust classic for gardens and patios
With its hardy, evergreen elegance, bright berries and low-maintenance nature, the ‘Blue Princess’ holly is a perfect choice for gardens of any size. Whether as a hedge plant, eye-catcher in the border or decorative container plant - it provides structure, colour and an attractive garden appearance all year round.
We recommend 4 - 5 plants per linear metre.
Our plants are grown in pots and can therefore be planted all year round.
