China Boy® Holly
Ilex x meserveae 'Mesdob'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
China Boy® Holly - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
China Boy® Holly highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Growing Zones 4-9
For an elegant Blue Holly with its distinctive waxy leaves that feature instantly recognizable spines along the toothed margins. With chartreuse stems and incredibly shiny, kelly-green foliage, The China Boy Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Mesdob') is an astonishingly fast, hardy grower!
This high contrast display between the showy blue-green foliage is outstanding against winter white snow and a standout in the drab dormant season. The mid-tone foliage has a high gloss finish that shines in the sunlight.
Spring brings pollinator-friendly white blossoms that bumblebees will be gaga for! China Boys® glossy evergreen leaves provide year-round interest and green during the more dreary months of winter. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4-9, growing 8-10 feet in height and 6-8 feet wide.
Planting and Application:
Use this evergreen Holly as a privacy hedge or backdrop. Lovely property division and screening that wildlife loves, these broad-leaved evergreens have a constant presence in the landscape! Need a strategic barrier plant to shield your property? The spiny leaves offer great protection!
The glossy green foliage takes to shearing and shaping well. China Boy is truly an exceptional landscape plant since it is cold-hardy and heat-tolerant! Use as a landscape specimen, anchoring your foundation plantings or garden beds. A fantastic accent plant, this Holly also works well under power lines!
The China Boy® will pollinate the China Girl® Holly and will pollinate 3-5 female Blue Hollies when planted in close proximity. Even though China Boy® doesn't produce berries, the white spring flowers support the nectar needs of honey bees and other important pollinators and shelter songbirds all year round!
Want to save money on fencing? Use a staggered double row of China Girl® and China Boy® Hollies to grow into a magnificent living fence with berries on the female plants! Plant them 3 feet apart on center for a dense hedge. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. If you prefer a more informal look, simply expand the space between them to 5 feet. Allow them to grow in their full, natural style.
- Unique Glossy Blue Holly Foliage
- White Spring Blossoms That Bees Love
- Ornamental Fast Growing Evergreen Conifer!
- Birds Love Hollies for Shelter
- Perfect Privacy Hedge, Foundations, Specimens & Windbreaks
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Choose a sunny to partly sunny site with well-drained moist soil for the healthiest growth. Choose an acidic site, making sure there is enough room for this shrub to grow to its mature spread. It should be sheltered from winter sun and wind to prevent drying and winter burn. Plan on creating a regular watering schedule to support the needs of your plants or setting up drip irrigation. Plus, adding a 3 - 4-inch layer of wood mulch over the root systems will help keep the soil cool and moist.
China Boy® can be easily pruned right after it blooms and pollinates the female plants and even though it doesn't produce any fruit is a fantastic broadleaved evergreen as it is. Plant up to 50 feet from China Girl® for best pollination, but can be planted as far as 300 feet away. Or as far as a bee will fly!
Prune to control size or to shape your plants after the flowers have faded. For the most attractive results, do not use electric trimmers and let these shrubs grow into their naturally trim form. It's worth the time to hand prune these beautiful plants.
- Full Sun & Partial Shade
- Loves Moist to Average Well-Drained Soil
- Appreciates Mulched Beds
- Prune or Shear After Flowering
- Pollinator for China Girl® Holly
This is a great, fast-growing Holly that is hard to find because China Boy® Holly usually sells out fast. Order yours today at Nature Hills Nursery!
