Meserveae Holly Ilex x meserveae
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks MESS-erv-ay
- Description
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Meserveae Holly is a hybrid evergreen shrub that grows up to 6'6". The foliage of this plant is remarkably similar to that of Ilex Xxaquipernyi, but the more numerous spines are flexible and almost rubbery, and leaves are not convex. The purplish twigs of Meserveae Holly also serve to distinguish between the two. This plant performs better in northern states than in southern states. This plant is tolerant of the cold and is a rapid grower.
Quick ID Hints:
- Evergreen, ovate leaves have 8-16 flexible spines.
- Stems are reddish-purple in color.
- Stems have a triangular stipular scar.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States
- 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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Red globose berries that often persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white flowers that are white to pink-white in color.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- 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 4-8 ascending spines per margin. Grow between 1" -2 1/2" long. Leaves have a leathery feel to them.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are stout and reddish-purple in color. Stems have a triangular, stipular scar.
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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
