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Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar'

Discover the resilience and beauty of Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', commonly referred to as blue holly. This distinguished cultivar is celebrated for its glossy, blue-green foliage and delicate white flowers, which grace gardens with their presence. 'Heckenstar' is a hardy selection, ideal for crafting structured hedges or as an accent plant in your garden. As a trusted cultivar, it maintains its vibrant color throughout the year, making it a prized addition to the curated collection at Heijnen Plants.

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Visual barrier
Moderately obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £26.45

25+ £25.15

50+ £24.50

100+ £23.80

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

Planting distance per meter
3

23.80

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

2+ £30.05

25+ £28.55

50+ £27.80

100+ £27.05

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

Planting distance per meter
3

27.05

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

2+ £37.90

25+ £36.00

50+ £35.05

100+ £34.10

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

Planting distance per meter
2,5

34.10

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

2+ £57.70

25+ £54.85

50+ £53.40

100+ £51.95

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

Planting distance per meter
2,5

51.95

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

2+ £82.65

15+ £78.50

25+ £76.45

50+ £74.35

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

Planting distance per meter
2

74.35

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

2+ £108.25

15+ £102.85

25+ £100.15

50+ £97.45

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

Planting distance per meter
2

97.45

per piece

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

Added to shopping cart

Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar'

The Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', commonly known as blue holly, is a robust evergreen that offers year-round visual interest with its glossy green foliage. This particular cultivar stands out for its ability to thrive in a range of conditions and locations, whether planted as a solitary feature or as part of a lush hedge.

Ideal for creating structured garden designs or simply adding a touch of greenery to your outdoor space, blue holly is a versatile species that adapts well to various garden styles.

Key Features

The Ilex genus is known for its resilience and the 'Heckenstar' variety is no exception, withstanding temperatures down to -23.3°C (USDA zone 6a).
Its growth rate of 20-30 centimeters per year allows for a quickly established presence in the garden without being overly demanding in terms of maintenance.
The thick, moderately obscuring foliage of Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar' ensures a good level of privacy throughout the year.
The white blossoms that grace this plant in the spring provide a delicate contrast to its rich green leaves, making it an aesthetically pleasing choice for any season.
As it is an evergreen, it retains its foliage throughout the year, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant even in the depths of winter.

Tips

Plant your Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar' in well-drained soil to promote healthy growth; this species is adaptable to all soil types.
For optimal growth, choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate shade, more sunlight will result in denser foliage.
Pruning is only required once per year, but you can do so more frequently if you prefer a more manicured appearance.
Although drought-resistant, blue holly benefits from regular watering during extended periods of dry weather, especially when newly planted.
Propagation through semi-ripe cuttings is possible; take care to position the cuttings in a nurturing environment to facilitate root development.

Ideal placement of a Ilex

For the Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', a location that offers full sun to partial shade is ideal. Although it is adaptable to various lighting conditions, flourishing in a well-lit environment will promote more vigorous growth and a lush, dense presence. This variety is not particular about soil types, provided the ground is well-drained. It exhibits good winter hardiness, tolerating temperatures down to -20.6°C, making it suitable for USDA zone 6a gardens. When considering placement, ensure that the site allows for adequate moisture retention without being prone to waterlogging, to accommodate the species' moderate drought sensitivity.

Planting a Ilex

When planting Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', choose a location that can range from full shade to full sun, ensuring it will thrive in various light conditions. The versatility of this plant in terms of soil preference allows it to adapt to nearly all well-drained soils. It is essential to properly prepare the planting site, ensuring the root ball is adequately covered but not planted too deeply. Watering thoroughly after planting is crucial for establishing the plant. It is robust in colder climates, tolerating temperatures down to -20.6°C, corresponding to USDA zone 6a, making it a resilient choice for hedging.

Pruning a Ilex

Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar' is a low-maintenance selection that requires minimal pruning, typically once per year to maintain its desired shape and promote a dense growth. Pruning should be carried out in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. This will allow the plant to recover quickly and maintain its lush, green foliage throughout the year. With its ability to withstand temperatures as low as -20.6°C to -23.3°C (USDA zone 6a), it remains an evergreen, providing year-round visual interest.

Watering a Ilex

To ensure the health and vitality of Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', consistent watering is crucial during its establishment phase. This evergreen prefers well-drained soils but does not exhibit drought resistance. Regular watering is particularly important during dry spells to maintain the plant's lush, green foliage. Once established, this blue holly's watering needs decrease and it will require attention primarily during periods of low rainfall. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture and provides insulation for the root ball.

Fertilising a Ilex

To ensure that Ilex 'Heckenstar' thrives and maintains its vibrant green foliage throughout the seasons, it is essential to provide proper nourishment. Fertilising this plant should be done early in the spring to support new growth and again in mid-summer to sustain its development through the rest of the growing season. A balanced, slow-release fertiliser formulated for evergreen plants is ideal, as it will provide a steady supply of nutrients over several months.

When applying fertiliser, be sure to distribute it evenly around the base of the plant, taking care to avoid direct contact with the foliage and stems to prevent burn. Watering the plant after fertilising helps to integrate the nutrients into the soil, allowing the root system of Ilex 'Heckenstar' to absorb them more effectively.

The characteristics of a Ilex

Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar', with its striking blue-green foliage, is a hardy addition to any landscape. Its dense growth habit creates an excellent privacy screen or windbreak without taking up much space. The plant's glossy leaves provide a stunning backdrop year-round, and its ability to produce vibrant red berries adds a pop of color in the colder months, although it's important to note that a male pollinator is necessary for berry production.

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