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Ilex x meserveae

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks MESS-erv-ay
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Meserve Hybrid Holly is a cold hardy, medium-sized, hybrid, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae or holly family. These bushy hollies typically grow to 3 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, although some occasionally reach 15 feet in height. They have a variable growth habit from vase-shaped to rounded and a slow growth rate. The foliage of this plant is remarkably similar to that of Ilex x xaquipernyi. The Meserve Hybrid Holly has numerous spines that are flexible and almost rubbery, and the leaves are not convex. Its leaves are also small, leathery, waxy, dark green to blue-green, and the stems are purplish-green. Small white to pinkish-white flowers bloom in the spring, and vibrant red berries appear in the fall and persist through the winter.

This hybrid resulted from a cross between I. aquifolium  (noted for its winter hardiness) and I. rugosa (an English-style holly) by Kathleen Meserve of St. James New York. Her hybrid is intended to create an English holly that withstands harsh northeastern winters and includes several cultivars collectively known as Meserve hollies. They are also called "Blue Hollies" because of the bluish cast to the leaves. 

Meserve Hybrid Holly does best in average, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. If planting in a zone with hot summers, site the plant where it will get some afternoon shade and in locations protected from cold winter winds. As expected, this plant is tolerant of the cold, with excellent winter hardiness to USDA Zone 5. Prune in the winter as needed to maintain shape.

Meserve Hybrid Hollies are dioecious (separate male and female plants) and female plants require a male plant in the vicinity to pollinate and produce fruit. As a general rule of thumb, you should plant one male for every 3 to 5 female plants. The cultivar 'Blue Prince' is typically used as the male plant.

The Meserve Hybrid Holly is one of the most cold hardy broadleaf evergreen shrubs. The ornamental fruits and attractive foliage will add interest to the landscape, especially in the fall and winter months. Consider this shrub as a foundation planting, group planting, barrier hedge, or specimen. Birds will be attracted to the fruits and the spiny foliage will offer them added protection.

Seasons Of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring                    Foliage: Year-round                      Fruits:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • rounded or vase-shaped broadleaf evergreen shrub
  • purplish-green to greenish-tan stems
  • leaves are small, about 3 inches long, alternate, elliptical, simple, glossy, dark green to bluish-green with spiny margins
  • small, white to pinkish-white flowers in the spring
  • vibrant red berries in the fall

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Meserve Hybrid Holly has no serious pests. Potential insect problems may include holly leaf miners, spider mites, whiteflies, and scale. Potential disease problems include leaf spots, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew. They are also susceptible to leaf drop, leaf scorch, and chlorosis (yellowing of leaves in high-pH soils).

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. 

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Boy'
    male plant, 10 to 15 feet tall, dark green leaves
  • 'Blue Girl'
    female plant, 8 to 10 feet tall, dark green foliage, bright red fruit
  • 'Blue Prince'
    Male polinator. Not reliably winter hardy. 8 to 12 foot dense shrub.
  • 'Blue Princess'
    Female plant. Showy fruit. Not reliably winter hardy. 8 to 12 foot dense shrub.
  • 'Hachfee'
    Female plant. AKA 'Castle Spire'. 8 to 10 feet high, 4 feet wide.
  • 'Heckenstar'
    Male plant. AKA 'Castle Wall'. 8 to 10 feet tall, 4 feet wide, dense shrub.
'Blue Boy', 'Blue Girl', 'Blue Prince', 'Blue Princess', 'Hachfee', 'Heckenstar'
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#white flowers#shrub#slow growing#nectar plant#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#spines#foundation planting#red fruits#frost tolerant#northern climate#rounded#border planting#pollinator plant#fantz#vase-shaped#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#groups#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Boy'
    male plant, 10 to 15 feet tall, dark green leaves
  • 'Blue Girl'
    female plant, 8 to 10 feet tall, dark green foliage, bright red fruit
  • 'Blue Prince'
    Male polinator. Not reliably winter hardy. 8 to 12 foot dense shrub.
  • 'Blue Princess'
    Female plant. Showy fruit. Not reliably winter hardy. 8 to 12 foot dense shrub.
  • 'Hachfee'
    Female plant. AKA 'Castle Spire'. 8 to 10 feet high, 4 feet wide.
  • 'Heckenstar'
    Male plant. AKA 'Castle Wall'. 8 to 10 feet tall, 4 feet wide, dense shrub.
'Blue Boy', 'Blue Girl', 'Blue Prince', 'Blue Princess', 'Hachfee', 'Heckenstar'
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#white flowers#shrub#slow growing#nectar plant#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#spines#foundation planting#red fruits#frost tolerant#northern climate#rounded#border planting#pollinator plant#fantz#vase-shaped#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#groups#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    I. aquifolium x I. rugosa
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer damage
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The showy bright red berries appear on the female plants in fall, often persisting until spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The small, white to pinkish-white flowers bloom in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate, acute, cuneate, coriaceous, and dark green to blue-green in color. They are spinose with 4 to 8 (sometimes 16) flexible, prominent, and ascending spines per margin. They grow between 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, 0.75 to 1.25 inches wide, and have a leathery texture.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Green
    Bark Description:
    The bark is initially green and turns brown with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are stout and purplish-green and transition to greenish-tan. Stems have a triangular, stipular scar.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. Leaves and berries are low toxicity and it is only in very large doses that problems are likely to arise. Fruits particularly poisonous to children.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves