Evergreen Trees (Non-Flowering) – Blue Princess Holly

Botanical name: ilex x meserveae ‘blue princess’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: up to 15 ft in height and 10 ft in width

Hardy zone: zones 5-9

Foliage color: green

Growth rate: grows 1-2 ft per year

Pruning instructions: deadhead and remove dead stems as needed

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: borders, screens, hedges

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day

Special features: produces shiny non-edible berries

Watering instructions: allow only the first couple inches of soil to dry between watering sessions

Fertilizing instructions : use espoma organic holly-tone in the spring and again in the fall

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: sandy

Companion plants: magnolias, boxwood, clematis, lily of the valley

Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested

Invasive species: no