Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire® (Blue Holly)

Vigorous and well-branched, Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire® is a compact, upright, evergreen shrub of pyramidal habit with excellent year-round interest. It produces small white flowers in spring that give way to a profusion of attractive bright red berries in fall. Extremely showy, they enliven the winter landscape and persist throughout winter. The shiny foliage of small, oval, serrated leaves remains dark green throughout the winter. Castle Spire® is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce attractive red berries, such as Castle Wall®. This is an outstanding plant for the winter landscape, ideal for hedges, foundation plantings, or even as a dramatic specimen.

• Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates light or heavy soils but prefers moist, acidic soils.
• Generally pest and disease free
• Mass in mixed shrub borders. Perfect as a specimen plant, hedges, or foundation plantings. The red-fruited branches make lovely home decorations.
• It’s best to avoid pruning female hollies, as cutting them back at any time of the year will result in diminished flowers and subsequent fruit. Light trimming or removal of dead wood can be done in early spring.