Ilex × meserveae ‘Blue Maid’
Overview
Uses: Tall hedges, privacy screens, specimen plantings, and winter berry displays.
Benefits: A vigorous female blue holly and one of the hardiest of the group. Glossy, spiny evergreen leaves make a dense screen, and with a male holly such as Blue Prince or Castle Wall® nearby it sets heavy crops of red berries that last into winter.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Pyramidal, Upright — vigorous and full.
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green with a blue sheen
Mature Height: 8–12 feet
Mature Width: 6–8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A tall, glossy evergreen that screens the view and brightens winter with red berries.
Blue Maid belongs to the blue hollies, a group of hybrids bred for winter toughness by crossing English holly with the cold-tolerant prostrate holly. Its spiny, polished leaves carry the deep blue-green cast the group is known for, and it is one of the most cold-tolerant of the blue hollies, a dependable pick at the colder end of its range.
It is also one of the more vigorous, filling out into a full, upright pyramid about eight to twelve feet tall and six to eight feet wide. That is large enough to block a neighbor’s window or close in a patio. Clipped, it makes a tall formal hedge; left alone, it develops a natural pyramid that needs only light shaping.
Blue Maid is female, and with a male blue holly nearby it bears heavy crops of red berries. They color in fall and often hold through the holidays and into winter, when birds come looking for them.
Care
Blue Maid Holly Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. The more sun it gets, the denser the growth and the heavier the berry crop.
Give it well-drained, slightly acidic soil, ideally with some compost or other organic matter worked in. It does poorly in soil that stays wet, and strongly alkaline soil can cause yellowing leaves.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Evergreen leaves keep losing moisture through winter, so a thorough watering in late fall and a two-to-three-inch layer of mulch help the plant go into the cold well hydrated.
Where winters are harsh, plant out of the path of strong, drying winds and away from bright afternoon sun reflecting off snow or pavement, both of which can scorch the leaves. A spring application of a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants supports steady growth.
Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Shear for a formal hedge, or simply shorten any stray branches to keep a natural pyramid. Branches cut in December are ideal for wreaths and holiday arrangements.
Size
What Size is the Blue Maid Holly for Sale Online?
Our Blue Maid Holly ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Blue Maid Holly Grow?
Expect about 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, pyramidal shape. For a continuous privacy screen, space plants about 5 to 6 feet apart; for a single specimen, allow at least 8 feet of room.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is commonly called blue holly or Meserve holly, a name that honors the breeder who developed the first blue hollies.
Will Blue Maid set berries on its own?
No. Only female hollies bear berries, and they need pollen from a male. Plant a male blue holly, such as Blue Prince or Castle Wall®, within about 30 to 40 feet; one male is enough for several females. Without a male nearby, Blue Maid still grows into a handsome evergreen, just without fruit.
Is Blue Maid a good choice for cold climates?
Yes. Among the blue hollies it is one of the most cold-tolerant, which makes it a good pick for Zone 5 gardens where some broadleaf evergreens struggle. A sheltered site out of winter wind still helps keep the leaves looking their best. Browse more Evergreen Plants.
How fast will it make a privacy screen?
Blue Maid grows at a moderate pace, so expect a few seasons before plants knit together into a solid wall. Once they do, the dense, spiny branches block views and foot traffic all year. For more screening plants, see our Privacy Trees & Shrubs.
