Ilex × meserveae ‘Castle Wall’® — Blue Holly (male pollinator)
Compact, upright evergreen holly with glossy, blue-green spined leaves. Grows into a dense, formal pillar—great for foundations, hedges, and structured designs. As a male plant, it doesn’t fruit but is the ideal pollinator for berry-bearing females like ‘Castle Spire’® and ‘Castle Keep’®.
Key features
Form & size: Upright, dense habit; 4–5 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide (slow–moderate growth).
Evergreen foliage: Lustrous blue-green leaves provide year-round structure.
Light: Full sun to part shade (best color and density with 4–6+ hrs sun).
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils; mulch to keep roots cool.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–7. Protect from drying winter winds in exposed sites.
Flowers/Fruit: Tiny white spring flowers; no berries (male) but pollinates nearby female blue hollies—1 male for up to ~5 females within ~50 ft.
Low maintenance: Prune lightly in late winter/early spring to shape; avoid heavy summer cuts.
Tolerances: Deer resistant and generally pest/disease resistant.
Uses: Formal hedges, narrow screens, entry accents, mixed borders, large containers.
Spacing: 2.5–3 ft apart for a tight hedge; 4–5 ft for individual specimens.
Ilex × meserveae ‘Castle Wall’® — Blue Holly (male pollinator)
Compact, upright evergreen holly with glossy, blue-green spined leaves. Grows into a dense, formal pillar—great for foundations, hedges, and structured designs. As a male plant, it doesn’t fruit but is the ideal pollinator for berry-bearing females like ‘Castle Spire’® and ‘Castle Keep’®.
Key features
Form & size: Upright, dense habit; 4–5 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide (slow–moderate growth).
Evergreen foliage: Lustrous blue-green leaves provide year-round structure.
Light: Full sun to part shade (best color and density with 4–6+ hrs sun).
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils; mulch to keep roots cool.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–7. Protect from drying winter winds in exposed sites.
Flowers/Fruit: Tiny white spring flowers; no berries (male) but pollinates nearby female blue hollies—1 male for up to ~5 females within ~50 ft.
Low maintenance: Prune lightly in late winter/early spring to shape; avoid heavy summer cuts.
Tolerances: Deer resistant and generally pest/disease resistant.
Uses: Formal hedges, narrow screens, entry accents, mixed borders, large containers.
Spacing: 2.5–3 ft apart for a tight hedge; 4–5 ft for individual specimens.
