Blue Prince/princess Holly

Blue prince/princess holly

Ilex × meserveae, commonly known as Meserve holly or blue holly, is an evergreen hybrid holly that typically grows to 6-8' tall, but occasionally to as much as 15' tall.

Is Blue Prince Holly fast growing?

'Blue Princess' has a moderate growth rate compared to other hollies, adding one to two feet per year. Its leaves are glossy, dark green with a bluish cast and moderately spiny.

Will Blue Prince Holly grow in shade?

The Blue Prince Holly will thrive in full-shade, so it is ideal for dark corners and shady spots.

How fast does blue Princess grow?

This evergreen shrub has a moderate growth rate, adding about 1 to 2 feet of growth per year. It grows upright and is low maintenance, making it easy to care for.

Can you keep a holly tree small?

You can maintain the height by pruning back the leader (main shoot) each year in late winter or early spring. (Your current timing is fine.) You can even reduce the size by cutting back the leader to just above an existing branch lower on the tree.

How do you take care of a blue Prince holly?

Care & Advice Once Ilex Blue Prince is established, they generally don't require much water. However, they will need frequent watering at first and should not be left to dry out. Generally, Ilex Blue Prince in the ground is less demanding and may require feeding with a general purpose fertilizer.

What is the hardiest holly?

If you are looking for zone 5 holly shrubs in this group, consider the blue holly cultivars 'Blue Prince' and 'Blue Princess'. They are the most cold-hardy of the series. Other Meserve hybrids that can serve the landscape well include China Boy and China Girl.

Do birds like blue Princess holly?

Try one of the evergreen hollies like 'Blue Princess. ' Birds love the protection that the foliage provides year-round and the red berries make a wonderful accent during the fall and winter months.

Is blue Princess holly poisonous to dogs?

To put it simply, the berries of the holly plant are toxic—not only to dogs, but also to other animals and children. These berries remain attached to the plant while it's still fresh, but as the plant dries, the berries loosen and may fall off of your décor and onto the floor.

Where is the best place to plant a holly tree?

Holly bushes do best in well-drained, moderately acidic soil, in full sun. They don't like to be transplanted, so think carefully about where you'll plant.

Should holly bushes be covered in winter?

Construct a wind barrier to protect hollies from harsh winds and sunscald. Install three wooden stakes around the holly, then wrap burlap around the stakes. Leave the top open and leave an opening for air to circulate around the tree but be sure the burlap protects the holly from prevailing winds.

Do holly bushes stay green all winter?

Holly bushes are eye-catching for the bright red or dark red berries they produce, as well as their spiny evergreen leaves, which stay green year-round.

Does blue Princess holly need a male or female?

Hollies are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Plant one male for every 3 to 5 female plants. BLUE PRINCESS is a female clone that produces showy fruit when flowers are pollinated. It needs a male pollinator such as Ilex x meserveae BLUE PRINCE.

What is the fastest growing holly tree?

The fastest growing holly tree is the Nellie Stevens holly. As mentioned, the Nellie Stevens Holly grows about 3 feet per year. Compared to the American Holly and the Dragon Lady Holly, which both usually only grow a few inches each year, the Nellie Stevens holly grows very quickly.

Is blue Prince holly evergreen?

The Blue Prince Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince') is a beautiful broadleaf evergreen shrub that makes for a gorgeous landscape interest year-round. These winter hardy shrubs have beautiful dark blue-green leaves that emerge on dark purple stems.

What is the life expectancy of a holly bush?

The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.

Can I cut the top off a holly tree?

A trim up can be a good idea if you like a clean look or are keeping a holly tree hedge. Work with the natural shape of your Holly Trees for best results. Simply prune off new growth or up to ⅓ of the overall plant.

Do holly trees have invasive roots?

Holly tree roots do have a chance of becoming invasive. This increases if they do not get a proper amount of water, sunlight, and all the other nutrients they require in order to survive. What happens then? Well, at that point the tree roots might start to branch out far away from the original root system.

How far apart should I plant blue princess holly?

Botanical Name:

Botanical Name: Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess' PP03675.
Form: Shrub.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade.
Height/Habit: 10 - 15 feet.
Spread: 8 - 10 feet.
Spacing: 7 - 8 feet.
Hardiness Zone: 4-7.
Flowering Date: Evergreen year round. Blooms April - May.

When should holly be cut back?

The consensus is that late spring, around April, is the best time, as the plant is most receptive to pruning, and the outdoor conditions are conducive to the job. What is this? Pruning too late in the year can increase the risk of new shoots being young when the first frosts hit, leading to stunted ongoing growth.