{"product_id":"standard-holly-tree-ilex-meserveae-blue-maid","title":"Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Maid' - Standard Holly Tree","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis well-known and popular evergreen will bring colour and wildlife to your garden year-round with its spiky, blue-green leaves and bright red winter berries. Hardy throughout the UK to temperatures below -20°C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHolly is a gorgeous ornamental addition to your garden, especially for winter interest when its glossy blue-green leaves and bright red berries will stand out for a fabulous and subtly festive show of foliage. For a high-maintenance, high-impact look you can keep it clipped into compact shapes, or let it grow wild if you prefer a lower maintenance garden aesthetic. The wilder your tree grows, the more it will benefit local wildlife, too, providing cover for nesting birds in its branches and hedgehogs in the leaf litter around its base. Just watch out for the sharp spikes on the leaves and you'll be all set to enjoy this luscious plant year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 98.1777%; height: 78.375px;\" height=\"24\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 78.375px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.9412%; height: 78.375px;\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eEvergreen\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.9412%; height: 78.375px;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eUpright, bushy growth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 32.9412%; height: 78.375px;\"\u003eFoliage year-round, flowers in spring and berries in late autumn.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eIlex\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003emeserveae\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Maid' (holm oak, Meserve's hybrid species, cultivar: blue maid)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis hybrid holly was developed by Kathleen K. Meserve in the mid-20th century by crossing English holly (\u003ci\u003eIlex aquifolium\u003c\/i\u003e) with native American species (\u003ci\u003eIlex rugosa\u003c\/i\u003e) to create a cold-hardy variety with stunning ornamental qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name(s)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eHolly Tree, Blue Holly, Blue Maid Holly, Ilex × meserveae 'Mesid'\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThis hybrid was first cultivated in the US, from parents native to North America and Europe respectively.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eYour holly won't need a huge amount of pruning, but if you want to keep the shape compact it's a good idea to prune in early spring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGood food for butterfly caterpillars, especially the Holly Blue. Male trees produce nectar too!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePositioning\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eGrow in full sun to partial shade; make sure it is not north-facing as this won't provide enough light. Exposed or sheltered positions are both fine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eLikes its soil to be moist but not too soggy; should only need watering in dry weather, especially once it's got itself properly established.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eTolerates a range of humidity levels but prefers moderate conditions. Avoid overly damp or waterlogged areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAny soil type should be fine for your holly, ensure it drains well and doesn't sit either bone dry or totally soggy though.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed once in early spring and once in autumn. Use a fertiliser suitable for acid-based soil and wait until growth stops in autumn to feed. Mix in rich compost when planting out to provide nutrients - the best time to plant your holly out in the garden is winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNo, holly is toxic to humans and pets if eaten, so make sure no-one is munching those berries!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThis plant is a female cultivar - pair it with a male plant to ensure cross-pollination and make sure you get those bright red berries late in the year.\u003cbr\u003eHolly will be fine in a pot, but will eventually outgrow a container as it can grow up to 12 feet tall!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eExtras\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe bright red berries are not only festive but also a vital winter food source for birds—perfect for wildlife-friendly gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid You Know?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThis plant was named after amateur gardener Kathleen Meserve, who crossed the English holly Ilex aquifolium with the North American native Ilex rugosa. Meserve is considered a bold thinker in plant breeding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"14cm","offer_id":43634739413245,"sku":"9583385722371","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"19cm","offer_id":43634739478781,"sku":"1683385722371","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/ilex-meserveae-blue-maid-standard-holly-tree-662668.jpg?v=1734254632","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.pro\/products\/standard-holly-tree-ilex-meserveae-blue-maid","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}