Product description
Ilex 'Blue Princess' is a classic evergreen holly, prized for its exceptionally heavy crops of bright red berries. This is a female variety, and its main display is the stunning profusion of berries that stand out against its dark, blue-green, spiny foliage. To guarantee this fantastic berry show, it is essential that a male holly (such as 'Blue Prince') is planted nearby for pollination.
Ilex 'Blue Princess' is a very adaptable and hardy evergreen, thriving in a wide range of conditions from full sun to partial shade in most well-drained soils, and is not fussy about soil. Pruning is generally only needed to maintain its dense, pyramidal shape or to form a hedge. This holly is very amenable to clipping; it can be trimmed lightly to keep it tidy or cut back more substantially if needed. It responds well to pruning, but be aware that removing branches will also remove the small flowers that lead to its famous berry display.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Holly
Ilex 'Blue Princess'
Ilex 'Blue Princess'
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Product description
Ilex 'Blue Princess' is a classic evergreen holly, prized for its exceptionally heavy crops of bright red berries. This is a female variety, and its main display is the stunning profusion of berries that stand out against its dark, blue-green, spiny foliage. To guarantee this fantastic berry show, it is essential that a male holly (such as 'Blue Prince') is planted nearby for pollination.
Ilex 'Blue Princess' is a very adaptable and hardy evergreen, thriving in a wide range of conditions from full sun to partial shade in most well-drained soils, and is not fussy about soil. Pruning is generally only needed to maintain its dense, pyramidal shape or to form a hedge. This holly is very amenable to clipping; it can be trimmed lightly to keep it tidy or cut back more substantially if needed. It responds well to pruning, but be aware that removing branches will also remove the small flowers that lead to its famous berry display.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Give your plants the best start
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
To get the spectacular show of red berries this Ilex Blue Princess is famous for, you must plant a male holly somewhere nearby. No male pollinator means no berries!
How to Water
This holly needs regular and deep watering during its first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, the Ilex Blue Princess has average water needs but will perform best if you water it well during extended dry periods.
How to Plant
This Ilex 'Blue Princess' thrives in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it's crucial to plant its root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding ground. Water deeply and regularly during the first season to establish its roots, and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture.
