shrub RHS Award

Blue Prince Holly

Name: Blue Prince Holly
Brand: Ilex
Availability: InStock

Ilex meserveae 'Blue Prince'

$36.94

Expertly Curated

Real-Time Pricing

Loved by Designers

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

50+ years

Native To

Hybrid origin

Toxicity

Berries (on female plants) are toxic if ingested.

The Story

Plant Bio

Meserve hollies, also known as blue hollies, are dense, broadleaf evergreen shrubs prized for their glossy, spiny, dark blue-green leaves and excellent cold hardiness. 'Blue Prince' is a male cultivar, essential as a pollinator for female blue hollies like 'Blue Princess' to produce their iconic red berries. It is a vigorous grower with handsome foliage and purplish stems, but does not produce fruit itself.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

'Blue Prince' is a handsome shrub in its own right, with dense, glossy, blue-green foliage and contrasting purple stems that provide excellent color and texture year-round. It serves as a perfect backdrop for flowering perennials and shrubs.

Its primary practical use is as a pollinator for female hollies, enabling the berry production that is a hallmark of the winter landscape. It is also an outstanding choice for creating dense, formal or informal hedges and privacy screens that are both beautiful and deer-resistant.

While it doesn't produce berries, its small spring flowers provide pollen for bees and other insects. Its dense evergreen structure offers crucial year-round shelter, cover, and potential nesting sites for songbirds, protecting them from predators and harsh weather.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

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Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site with full sun to part shade and acidic, moist, well-drained soil.
Amend soil with compost or peat moss to improve acidity and drainage.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly.
Apply a layer of pine straw or bark mulch to retain moisture.

Pro Tip

One 'Blue Prince' can pollinate up to 5-7 female 'Blue Princess' or 'Blue Maid' hollies planted within about 50 feet.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in acidic soil (pH 5.0 to 6.0).
Provide consistent moisture, especially in the first year.
Mulch to protect the shallow roots.
Prune or shear to maintain desired size and shape.

Don't

Don't plant in alkaline or poorly drained soils.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Don't plant in deep shade, which leads to sparse growth.
Do not expect this male variety to produce berries.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Handsome evergreen hedge or screenEssential pollinator for berry-producing holliesStrong foundation planting with year-round structure

Companion Plants

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess' Rhododendron P.J.M. Pieris japonica Hosta 'Halcyon' Astilbe chinensis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Blue Prince Holly questions

What zones can Blue Prince Holly grow in?

Blue Prince Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Blue Prince Holly deer resistant?

Yes — Blue Prince Holly is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Blue Prince Holly bloom?

Blue Prince Holly typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Blue Prince Holly need full sun?

Blue Prince Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.