Woody > Ilex > Ilex x meserveae > Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Girl'
Ilex x meserveae
'Blue Girl'
Blue Girl Holly
Origin: Developed my Mrs. F. Leighton Meserve in 1964, a member of the American Horticultural Society. Ilex rugosa and Ilex aquifolium crossed to produce viable seedlings in St. James New York. Propagation rights to this plant were sold to Conard Pyle.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Consider disposal of leaves, might hurt bare feet. Plant in full sun, in well drained slightly acidic soil and supremely mulched and supercharged for the winter. Position in a sheltered area away from the harsh winds and covered in burlap.(Riley Irwin)
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus |
| Ilex |
| Species |
| x meserveae |
| Cultivar |
| 'Blue Girl' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3 - 7 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 9 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23ºC to -26ºC |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -10ºF to -20ºF |
| Height |
| 2.6-4 m |
| Spread |
| 3-4.5 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| This broadleaf evergreen shrub is one of the most common Holly family available and favoured because of its durable hardiness and its attractive foliage and ripe red berries in the late summer. |
| Landscape |
| Year round garden feature, used in cut flower arrangements, property border to prevent unwanted footpaths, massing, foundation covering and groupings of female plants. |
| Cultivation |
| Hollies have shallow root system a required 2.5 cm of water a week in the growing season, 6 cm of water in hot conditions and stop watering in August to October to halt full foliage potential and prepare the plant for the winter season. Best if planted in the fall, prune winter burn out in the spring. |
| Shape |
| Upright, evenly spreading vase form of a large shrub. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Leathery deep green sharply pointed foliage with large clumps of very attractive red berries catch the eye of humans and birds alike in most garden settings. |
| Pests |
| Aphids attack juvenile growth, scale and leaf miners may be issues. Root rot may occur in this cultivar if it is placed in poorly drained soils. Winter desiccation occurs if placed in an exposed position without protection. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth dark gray to light brown in appearance, purplish green colour for first year growth. |
| Leaf Description |
| A simple, margined alternately forming 4 - 8 spines along the leaf perimeter. The leaves have a very rigid but delicate form with a very high lustred surface and a dull pale coloured underside. |
| Flower Description |
| Small imperfect creamy white flowers that appear in clusters on both sexes of holly. |
| Fruit Description |
| Berries are only present on the female plant of this species, which when they appear are abundant and vibrant red in colour. |
| Colour Description |
| Leaf pedicles have a purplish colour and the small pale whitish-green flowers are barely noticeable, while the foliage is a delicious deep green shade. |
| Texture Description |
| A dangerous plant to bare legs and unprotected arms as the spiny foliage may scratch unsuspecting appendages. |
| Propagation |
| Stem cuttings dipped in rooting hormone to propagate, usually container grown but larger field grown plants may be balled and burlaped. |
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