Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly

Name: Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 03461
Price: 78.26 USD
Availability: InStock

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Maid' PP# 4685

Nature Hills Nursery

$78²⁶

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In Stock

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the best berry production and dense foliage, plant in full sun (6+ hours). While Blue Maid™ is shade tolerant, too much shade results in a "leggy" look and fewer of those iconic red berries.
Soil: This holly prefers slightly acidic, well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised mound or "pot up" the planting site with compost to ensure the roots do not sit in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide deep watering twice a week to help the root system anchor itself. Once established, this holly is quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during a dry summer can lead to berry drop or scorched leaf edges. Aim to keep the soil feeling like a wrung out sponge rather than letting it turn to dust between waterings.

Pruning Tips

Blue Maid™ blooms on "old wood," so the best time to prune is in early spring before the new growth starts. Think of pruning like a haircut to maintain its natural pyramidal shape or to create a formal hedge. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer because you will cut off the developing berries and stimulate soft growth that cannot handle the winter cold.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer designed for acid loving plants in early spring. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer or fall because this encourages "tender" new growth that will get zapped by the first frost. A simple application of holly tone or a similar product once a year provides all the nutrients needed for dark blue green foliage.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

High Shine Beautiful Accent Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly!

Attractive, High-Shine Foliage
Traditional Holly Leaf Shape With No Spines
Unique Purplish-Blue Evergreen Color
Purplish Stems
Fast-Growing Dense & Rounded Form
Prune To Shape
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Small White Blossoms
Bright Clusters of Bright Red Berries
Attracts Birds and Pollinators
Blue Prince Pollinator for Fruit Set
Berries for Floral Design & Crafts
Moist Well-Drained Soils

A colorful twist to a classic broadleaf evergreen, the Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Maid' PP# 4685) is a fantastically shiny accent shrub! Insignificant white flowers appear in late spring and attract your local pollinators.

Year-round, intensely evergreen foliage has a high-gloss shine and blue to purple highlights, and stems, plus extraordinary bright red berries to enhance your landscape big time!

The wavy edges won't stab like traditional Holly but retain that classic leaf shape. The dense growth is bushy, rounded, and typically getting 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, but could be a bit larger with age. However, you can prune to any size or shape you'd prefer.

Then for winter interest, plant one Blue Prince male Holly for every 3-5 Blue Maid™ female Hollies for the female plants to produce plenty of incredible red, showy fruits. Plant the male plants within 30 feet or so of the females. Even though the male plants will not fruit, they are incredibly handsome! If you do have both plants nearby, you and your local songbird population will enjoy eye-catching clusters of vivid red berries!

How to Use Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly In The Landscape

A shining plant like this deserves to be your landscape specimen plant or high-style accent. Gleaming year-round with steady evergreen, Blue Maid™ will highlight any bed or border it's incorporated into. The dark green leaves and blue tint compliments any garden style!

Imagine a row of Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly sparkling in the sun as an impressive privacy hedge or barrier. A cool zig-zagging line defines your property fashionably, or a pair of sentries welcoming guests to your front door will look divine!

The bushy erect growth is perfect for a wide range of garden designs and applications. Fitting into rustic country gardens as an amazing backdrop to your garden beds, or anchoring borders. Zen and Asian-inspired gardens shine and Contemporary formal beds and courtyards.

Boost curb appeal exponentially with a row as your foundation planting. Plant one as an accent in your favorite garden urn or on a raised berm to further set this amazing plant apart!

The dark blue-green foliage color holds true in part sun and partial shade, Blue Maid™ can handle edge-of-the-woods plantings, naturalized areas, and wildlife gardens without getting much attention from Deer.

Ilex meserveae berries provide your holiday décor and container plantings with ample shiny red gems.

#ProPlantTips For Care

The fast growth of Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly means fast privacy and no waiting for them to fill in large areas. The dense growth lends itself perfectly to formally pruned shapes readily and speedy privacy. With winter hardiness and heat tolerance in growing zones 5 through 9, these can take the partial sun in hot climates, while shrugging off cold climates with ease where they can tolerate full sun.

These Blue Holly tolerate acidic soil and higher moisture levels but do need well-drained soils. Standing up to urban pollution, they're not particular about soil type.

This is a polished and highly ornamental shrub that needs very little from you. Order this very unique shrub today from Nature Hills Nursery and let Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly shine for you!

Botanical Name

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Maid' PP# 4685
Class
- Magnoliopsida
Species

x meserveae
Cultivar

Blue Maid
Growing Zones

5-9
Height

8-10 ft
Width

6-8 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Evergreen
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly need, and does it require acidic conditions?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly thrives in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates a wide pH range, including both acidic and neutral conditions. Like most hollies, it performs best with consistent moisture but good drainage to prevent root rot. Improve clay soils with compost and avoid waterlogged areas.

How much sun or shade does Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly tolerate?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptable evergreen performs best with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal berry production and that signature glossy foliage. Plant in a spot with morning sun and some afternoon protection in hotter climates.

How do I care for Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly after planting, including watering?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly is easy care and low maintenance once established. Water regularly the first year, then only during dry spells as it prefers moist, well-drained soils. Prune in late winter to maintain your desired size and shape.

Is Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly cold hardy in zone 5 winters?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly is cold hardy in zone 5 winters. This hybrid holly was specifically developed for northern climates and can withstand temperatures down to -20°F. Plant in a protected location away from harsh winter winds for best results.

Will Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly produce red berries without a pollinator nearby?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly requires a male pollinator to produce its bright red berries. This female holly needs a Blue Prince male planted within 30 feet for fruit set. Plant one male for every 3-5 females, available at naturehills.com.

What is the growth rate of Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly, and how long until it reaches maturity?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly is fast-growing, typically reaching 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide at maturity. Most specimens achieve full size within 10-15 years under good conditions. Regular pruning lets you maintain any preferred size and shape.

How is Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly shipped, and what size are the plants?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly ships as nursery-grown plants in containers, typically ranging from 1-3 gallon sizes depending on availability. The exact size and shipping details are shown on the product page before purchase. Order early in the season for best selection and plant spacing.

What are the pruning requirements for Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly requires minimal pruning and can be shaped to any desired size. This fast-growing shrub naturally reaches 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide with a dense, rounded form. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins for best results.

Is Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly deer resistant or tolerant of urban pollution?

Blue Maid™ Meserve Holly offers excellent deer resistance due to its waxy, thick evergreen foliage that deer typically avoid. This hardy shrub also tolerates urban conditions well, including air pollution and compacted soils. Plant in well-drained soil for best performance.