Ilex × meserveae ‘Blue Princess’

‘Blue Princess’ is the fruiting female in the blue holly pairing, bred for cold-climate hardiness and glossy dark blue-green foliage. Small white flowers in late spring are pollinated by a nearby male like ‘Blue Prince’, followed by heavy crops of bright red berries that hold well into winter.

Leaves are spiny-toothed, smaller and bluer than English holly, on purple-flushed young stems. It forms a dense upright rounded shrub to around 3 to 4m, ideal as a specimen or clipped into a hedge.

Plant in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun to partial shade. Takes clipping well. Plant a ‘Blue Prince’ within pollinating distance for the best berry crops.

A firm favourite for Christmas wreath-making, winter garden interest, or a structural evergreen near the house.