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Key characteristics

Family: Aquifoliaceae
Height: 6 to 8 feet
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Small white flowers
Foliage color: Dark blue-green
Bloom time: Spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average water needs
Maintenance: Low, but may need pruning to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA Zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts birds, particularly in winter, due to its bright red berries

Shrubs

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess'

Blue Princess Meserve Hybrid Holly

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess' is a hybrid holly that is prized for its glossy, blue-green evergreen foliage, which provides year-round interest. This female variety is particularly notable for its ability to produce bright red berries when paired with a male holly such as 'Blue Prince'. These showy berries appear in the fall and persist through the winter, adding vibrant color to the landscape, especially against snowy backdrops.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Average water needs

Bloom time

Spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Hedging & Privacy
Bird Gardens
Winter Interest

Companion plants

Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower

Design tip

Use ‘Blue Princess’ where its evergreen foliage and winter berries can provide a year-round backdrop. The glossy blue-green leaves create dense structure, while bright red berries add prominent fall and winter color, especially when positioned where they can be easily seen during the colder months.