Blue Prince Holly

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince'

Nature Hills Nursery

Male Pollinator Plant: Pairs with Blue Princess Holly for Guaranteed Red Berry Production
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring
Excellent Privacy Screen or Hedge
Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Songbirds

$81⁴²

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this holly in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for the densest growth and best health. While it tolerates partial shade well, too little light will cause the shrub to become leggy and open rather than compact.
Soil: Ideally, locate this plant in rich, acidic soil that drains well but stays cool. If you have heavy clay, amend it with pine bark or compost to improve drainage, as this holly struggles with "wet feet" and root rot in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during the first year to help the root system establish. Once established, Blue Prince is moderately drought tolerant, though inconsistent watering can lead to leaf scorch or leaf drop during heatwaves. A 3-inch layer of mulch is highly recommended to keep the roots cool and retain necessary moisture.

Pruning Tips

This shrub blooms on old wood, meaning the flower buds form on the previous year's growth. While the data suggests late winter for structural pruning to manage size, be aware that removing too much wood at this time will cut off the flowers needed to pollinate your female hollies. Stick to light shaping in late winter to remove errant branches, or wait until after the spring bloom to do significant shearing.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants (like an azalea or holly feed) in early spring just as new growth begins. Avoid fertilizing late in the summer or fall, as this pushes soft, new growth that will be damaged by the first winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 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

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Cold hardy, Container Friendly, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Evergreen, Full Sun, Hedge/Screen, Low Maintenance, Non-invasive, Salt Tolerant, Shade Tolerant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	6-8 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Holly
Botanical Name	Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince'
Species	x meserveae
Cultivar	Blue Prince
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The fantastic bushy Blue Prince Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince') is a gorgeous, glossy broadleaf evergreen shrub with a host of wonderfully ornamental features! Your Blue Prince Meserve Holly features lustrous leaves with a bluish tint - thus contributing to the name. Your lighter-colored plants will really pop out of the landscape when framed by Blue Prince's shiny, bright foliage!

The toothy edges lend an elegant appearance to the foliage supported by dark, purple-hued stems. If you look closely, you'll note delicate, white flowers scattered among the purple-tinged stems in spring, an added bonus to this plant's commendable attributes! You may not outright see these little blooms, but the hungry bees and butterflies will seek them out in droves!

A suitable pollinator for other Blue Hollies, like the Blue Princess Holly, you need about one Blue Prince to pollinate up to 3-5 female shrubs. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9, these grow into a shrubby, rounded 6-8 feet in height and a space-saving 3-4 feet in width for an impressive year-round display, but can easily be pruned to your specifications!

Planting and Application:

Create privacy hedges of Blue Hollies for vivid swaths of blue-greenery that add screening and bird-friendly shelter. If you have female shrubs planted in your hedge, you’ll enjoy red berries in the fall on the female shrubs! The evergreen boughs can be used in winter décor and floral arrangements.

Everything you plant before these hedges becomes enhanced - so use these Holly bushes as backdrops and foundation plantings, either trimmed formally or allowed to grow informally.

These broadleaved evergreens have elegant glossy green foliage year-round, providing wind-blocking, drifting-snow-stopping, and prying-eyes-blocking foliage all year long!

Decorative Foliage & Pointed Margins
Evergreen Blue-Green Foliage
Darling White Blossoms
Contrasting Purplish Stems
Hedges & Backdrops, Privacy & Year-Round Interest

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant Blue Prince in a well-drained soil location in full sun or partial shade. Water new plants regularly, but mature and established plants only need a bit of supplemental moisture during drought. Holly are relatively easy to grow, with no significant disease or pest issues. All plants appreciate regular fertilizer and a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch over the soil surface.

In areas of high pH, alkaline soil - fertilize with an acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer to help reduce soil pH.

You can choose to prune them, or site them at the corner of your house and allow them to reach their full mature height and spread. The goal is to keep the shrub growing in a nice, open shape. Adding air circulation and light to the interior of your shrub will allow leaves to grow all the way along each branch. Light pruning during the winter to harvest holiday decor can be used to control size. When pruning, avoid simply shearing the tips off with hedge pruners. Instead, use Renewal Pruning every few years to eliminate the oldest, less vigorous stems and encourage new healthy growth from the base, allowing the plants to keep their natural form. Read more on Holly Pruning here.

Sun to Partial Shade Loving
Well-Drained Soil of Any Kind
Moderate Water Needs
Prune Late Winter/Early Spring
Pollinator for Female Blue Holly

Hollies add cheer to every winter landscape with their lustrous foliage! Planted together, they certainly are plants with year-round interest. Blooms in the spring, and structure in winter...Blue Prince Holly Bushes are a wonderful plant for any season! Order now at NatureHills.com!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Blue Prince Holly require a female pollinator like Blue Princess to produce berries, or is it self-pollinating?

Blue Prince Holly is a male plant that doesn't produce berries but serves as a pollinator for female varieties. One Blue Prince can pollinate 3-5 female Blue Hollies like Blue Princess, which will then produce the decorative red berries in fall. Plant your Blue Prince near female hollies for berry production.

What are the soil, light, and watering requirements for Blue Prince Holly?

Blue Prince Holly thrives in well-draining soil and partial to full sun exposure across USDA zones 5-9. Water regularly during establishment, then this drought-tolerant evergreen needs minimal irrigation once mature. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens that adapt well to various soil conditions.

What common pests, diseases, or issues like powdery mildew affect Blue Prince Holly?

Blue Prince Holly is generally pest and disease resistant, though it can occasionally face issues with scale insects, spider mites, or leaf spot in poorly ventilated areas. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal problems.

Will my Blue Prince Holly stay evergreen through winter in cold climates, or does it turn brown?

Blue Prince Holly maintains its glossy blue-green foliage year-round in zones 5-9, staying evergreen even through harsh winters. The broadleaf evergreen provides reliable wind and snow blocking all winter long. Ensure proper fall watering to prevent winter browning.

What size will the Blue Prince Holly plant be when shipped, and what pot size is it in?

Blue Prince Holly ships as a young plant in a standard nursery pot, typically 1-2 feet tall depending on the season. These hardy zone 5-9 shrubs will mature to 6-8 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide over time. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy, well-rooted specimens ready to establish in your landscape.

What is the shipping guarantee or warranty if my Blue Prince Holly arrives damaged or dies?

Nature Hills stands behind their plants with a one-year guarantee from ship date. If your Blue Prince Holly arrives damaged or doesn't establish in zones 5-9, they'll replace it. Contact customer service with photos showing the issue for fastest resolution.