Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Princess'

• Pollinators: Bees and other pollinating insects visit the flowers in late spring
  
  
• Birds: Berries are a valuable food source for songbirds in winter
  
  

Deer Resistance: High – leaves are spiny and typically unpalatable to deer and rabbits

• Seasonality: Evergreen – retains foliage year-round
  
  

Flowering Season: Late spring (May to early June)

Privacy Hedge / Screening

• Dense, evergreen foliage makes it ideal for year-round privacy or windbreaks.
  

Holiday/Winter Interest

• Showy red berries (when pollinated by a male like ‘Blue Prince’) are perfect for winter color and decorative use (wreaths, garlands, etc.).
  

Foundation Planting

• A striking choice against walls or fences where its dark foliage and red berries provide seasonal contrast.
  

Accent or Specimen Shrub

• Its symmetrical, pyramidal habit makes it a strong focal point in formal or cottage gardens.
  

Wildlife Gardens

Berries attract birds in winter, and its dense branches provide shelter for small animals.

Mixed Shrub Borders

• Adds texture, structure, and color, especially in fall/winter when other plants are dormant.
  
  

• Color: Deep blue-green, with a glossy finish
  
  
• Shape: Classic holly leaves – spiny, leathery, and oval
  
  
• Evergreen Qualities: Adds year-round structure, texture, and color to the landscape
  
  
• Winter Appeal: Foliage remains attractive even in harsh conditions; contrasts beautifully with bright red berries
  
  

• Small, white, slightly fragrant flowers; not showy but important for berry production when pollinated by a male holly such as 'Blue Prince'
  
  

• Best Time to Plant: Spring or early fall
  
  
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
  
  
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic preferred
  
  

Spacing: 5–7 feet apart for hedging or mass planting

• Pruning Time: Late winter to early spring before new growth begins
  
  
• How to Prune: Light shaping as needed; remove dead or damaged branches
  
  

Maintenance Level: Low – naturally forms a dense, attractive shape

• New Plants: Water consistently during the first growing season to establish strong roots
  
  
• Established Plants: Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once mature but prefers consistent moisture
  
  

Mulching Tip: Apply mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds

• Best Performance: Full sun to partial shade
  
  

Sun Exposure: More berries and denser foliage occur in full sun; tolerant of partial shade, especially in warmer climates

Ilex 'Blue Princess' is not grown for edible fruit, but berries are commonly harvested for ornamental use (holiday décor, winter arrangements).

Berry Harvest Tips:

• Berries appear late fall through winter, typically October to January.
  
• Harvest using pruning shears; cut sprigs with berries for use in décor.
  
• Only female plants bear berries, and a male pollinator (e.g., ‘Blue Prince’) must be planted nearby (within ~30–50 ft) for pollination.

• When to Fertilize: Early spring, just before new growth begins
  
  
• Fertilizer Type: Acid-loving plant fertilizer or balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer
  
  

Optional: Light feeding in mid-summer if foliage appears pale or growth slows

• Pests & Diseases: Generally pest- and disease-resistant; occasional issues include leaf spot or scale in overly humid or poorly drained conditions
  
  
• Cold & Heat Tolerance: Extremely cold-hardy down to USDA Zone 5; protect from drying winter winds if exposed
  
  
• Landscape Uses: Evergreen hedge, privacy screen, specimen shrub, foundation planting, winter focal point
  
  

Toxicity Warning: Berries are toxic to pets and humans if ingested – ornamental only

• Pollination Type: Dioecious (female); requires male holly nearby to produce berries
  
  
• Recommended Pollinator: Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince' (one male per 5–7 female plants is ideal)
  
  

Pollinators: Bees and small insects transfer pollen between male and female plants

Pair Ilex 'Blue Princess' with plants that emphasize her glossy foliage, seasonal berries, and upright shape:

For Winter Contrast:

• Cornus sericea (red twig dogwood)
  
  
• Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
  
  
• Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'
  
  

For Acid-Loving Companions:

Rhododendron or Azalea

Leucothoe axillaris

Hydrangea macrophylla

• For Evergreen Texture:
  
  
• Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
  
  
• Skimmia japonica
  
  
• Mahonia 'Soft Caress'