Ilex 'Blue Princess’

Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Princess': Evergreen Shine with Winter-Red Berries

Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Princess' is a classic blue holly prized for its dark blue-green, spiny foliage and its bright red berries that persist through winter. Purplish stems add subtle colour and contrast, especially in colder months when the plant’s structure becomes more visible. As a female selection, it produces berries after pollination, bringing reliable seasonal interest and valuable winter food for birds. Handsome year-round and naturally shrubby, it’s a strong, dependable choice for Canadian landscapes that need evergreen structure.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 6–7’
• Spread: 4–6’
• Flower Colour: Small, inconspicuous white
• Flowering Period: Spring
• Foliage: Evergreen, dark blue-green with spiny toothed margins; purplish stems
• Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; benefits from organic matter and consistent moisture

Uses and Benefits: Excellent for evergreen hedging, foundation structure, and mixed shrub borders where you want year-round presence and winter berry colour. It works beautifully as a specimen or in groups for a dense, protective screen, and the spiny foliage makes it a practical choice for property edges. For best berry production, plant a compatible male pollinator nearby, such as Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince'.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during the first season to establish, then provide deep watering during hot, dry periods to keep growth steady. Mulch helps conserve moisture and protects roots through temperature swings. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage dense branching, and avoid heavy pruning in fall. Planting in a sheltered spot out of harsh winter wind helps keep foliage looking its best.

History: Blue hollies are hybrids developed to combine cold tolerance with handsome evergreen foliage and reliable berry set. 'Blue Princess' became a widely planted female selection for its strong form, rich leaf colour, and consistent winter fruit when paired with the right pollinator.

Final Thoughts: When you want evergreen structure that still feels festive in winter, Blue Princess delivers glossy foliage, lasting red berries, and a confident presence in the landscape.