This 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.

Holly 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.

Scientific Name
Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Maid' (holm oak, Meserve's hybrid species, cultivar: blue maid)

This hybrid holly was developed by Kathleen K. Meserve in the mid-20th century by crossing English holly (Ilex aquifolium) with native American species (Ilex rugosa) to create a cold-hardy variety with stunning ornamental qualities.

Common Name(s)
Holly Tree, Blue Holly, Blue Maid Holly, Ilex × meserveae 'Mesid'

Origin
This hybrid was first cultivated in the US, from parents native to North America and Europe respectively.

Pruning Tips
Your 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.

Wildlife Value
Good food for butterfly caterpillars, especially the Holly Blue. Male trees produce nectar too!

Positioning
Grow 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.

Water
Likes its soil to be moist but not too soggy; should only need watering in dry weather, especially once it's got itself properly established.

Humidity
Tolerates a range of humidity levels but prefers moderate conditions. Avoid overly damp or waterlogged areas.

Soil
Any soil type should be fine for your holly, ensure it drains well and doesn't sit either bone dry or totally soggy though.

Food
Feed 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.

Pet-safe
No, holly is toxic to humans and pets if eaten, so make sure no-one is munching those berries!

Sprouts Top Tips
This 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.
Holly will be fine in a pot, but will eventually outgrow a container as it can grow up to 12 feet tall!

Extras
The bright red berries are not only festive but also a vital winter food source for birds—perfect for wildlife-friendly gardens.

Did You Know?
This 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.