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Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince'

At Heijnen Plants, we take pride in cultivating the distinguished Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince', commonly referred to as blue holly. This robust, evergreen shrub features glossy, blue-green foliage and delicately scented white flowers, which bring a touch of grace to any landscape throughout the year. 'Blue Prince' is particularly sought after for its dense, pyramidal form, making it an excellent choice for a structured hedge or a decorative focal point in your garden. Embrace the opportunity to add this noble plant to your collection and enjoy the refined beauty it offers to your outdoor space.

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Visual barrier
Quickly obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £21.95

25+ £20.90

50+ £20.35

100+ £19.80

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
60-80

Planting distance per meter
3

19.80

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £25.25

25+ £24.00

50+ £23.35

100+ £22.75

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
80-100

Planting distance per meter
3

22.75

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £39.10

25+ £37.15

50+ £36.15

100+ £35.20

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
100-125

Planting distance per meter
2,5

35.20

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £53.05

25+ £50.40

50+ £49.05

100+ £47.75

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
125-150

Planting distance per meter
2,5

47.75

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £92.20

15+ £87.60

25+ £85.30

50+ £83.00

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
150-175

Planting distance per meter
2

83.00

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £131.00

15+ £124.45

25+ £121.20

50+ £117.90

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
175-200

Planting distance per meter
2

117.90

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince'

The Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince', commonly known as blue holly, is an exceptional evergreen shrub that adds year-round interest to any garden. Renowned for its striking blue-green foliage and purple stems, the Blue Prince holly serves as an excellent choice for hedges and solitary garden specimens alike. This robust hybrid is favored for its visual density and resilience in various climates, particularly noted for its winter hardiness in USDA zone 6a.

Key Features

The Ilex genus is well-regarded for its adaptability, and the 'Blue Prince' variety is no exception, thriving in all well-drained soil types.
With a modest growth rate of 20-30 centimeters per year, 'Blue Prince' is easy to manage and requires minimal pruning, typically only once per year.
The foliage retains its blue-green hue throughout the seasons, while the stems remain a consistent purple, offering a unique aesthetic appeal.
In the spring, delicate white flowers emerge, adding a subtle contrast to the rich foliage.
This variety is particularly notable for its winter hardiness, enduring temperatures down to -20.6°C, making it a steadfast selection for cooler climates.

Tips

To ensure the health and vigor of your Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince', plant it in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
While blue holly is not drought resistant, regular watering at intervals will keep it flourishing. Be mindful not to overwater, as well-drained soil is essential for its success.
Pruning should be done with care to maintain the plant's shape and encourage denser growth. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before the new growth begins.
For propagation, semi-ripe cuttings can be taken and rooted to expand your collection or replace older plants, ensuring a continuous display of this stunning shrub in your landscape.

Ideal placement of a Ilex

The holly 'Blue Prince' thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade and even full shade, although its growth may be less vigorous in less light.

When considering soil, this cultivar is adaptable; however, it performs best in well-drained soil. To optimize the plant's health and growth potential, provide a location with protection from harsh winds, particularly in colder regions. Despite its winter hardiness, ensuring a suitable microclimate can enhance its evergreen foliage's vibrancy throughout the year.

Planting a Ilex

When establishing Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince', select a location that can range from full sun to partial shade or even shade, as the plant is adaptable to various light conditions. The root ball should be planted in well-drained soil to ensure proper growth. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth. After placing the plant in the hole, fill it with soil and water thoroughly. This evergreen is noted for its winter hardiness, tolerating temperatures between -20.6°C and -23.3°C, aligning with USDA zone 6a, and should be watered regularly, especially in dry conditions.

Pruning a Ilex

Pruning Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince' is a straightforward task, typically required only once per year to maintain shape and promote health. The ideal pruning period for this cultivar is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. As an evergreen species, it retains its striking blue-green foliage throughout the seasons, offering a visual shield even in the coldest months. Ensure to remove only dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches to preserve its dense, quickly obscuring nature and vibrant purple stems.

Watering a Ilex

To maintain the health and vigor of Ilex meserveae 'Blue Prince', it is essential to ensure that it receives adequate moisture throughout the year. While the plant is drought-sensitive, overwatering can also be detrimental. It is recommended to provide a deep watering to encourage strong root development, particularly during periods of dry weather. Monitor the moisture level of the soil, allowing it to dry slightly between waterings to avoid waterlogged conditions. This approach will support the plant's growth, allowing it to thrive and maintain its lush, evergreen foliage in all seasons.

Fertilising a Ilex

To ensure the Ilex 'Blue Prince' retains its dense and vibrant foliage throughout the year, a consistent fertilizing schedule is crucial. Fertilizing should occur annually, preferably in early spring to support new growth. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is ideal, as it provides a steady supply of nutrients over several months. Apply the fertilizer at the base of the plant, taking care not to concentrate the granules too close to the stem to prevent any potential root burn.

Given its moderate growth rate and adaptability to various soil types, the Ilex 'Blue Prince' does not demand frequent feeding. However, providing this nourishment will bolster its resilience to withstand harsh winter conditions, particularly in regions as cool as USDA zone 6a, where temperatures can plunge to -20,6°C (-5°F).

The characteristics of a Ilex

Enrich your garden with the robust charm of Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Prince'. This particular variety boasts a dense, blue-green foliage that provides year-round color and structure. It's an excellent choice for creating hedges or adding a touch of evergreen elegance to mixed borders. Furthermore, 'Blue Prince' is noted for its superior cold tolerance, ensuring it remains a striking feature in your garden despite the chillier months.

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