Blue Princess Holly Ilex × meserveae Blue Princess = 'Conapri' (f)
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ABOUT
The Blue Princess Holly is a striking ornamental shrub that is cherished for its lush, glossy foliage and bright berry display. The leaves of this plant boast a rich, deep green color with a slightly blueish tint and have a distinctive, spiny texture that is typical of hollies. Each leaf is oval-shaped with a pointed tip and adorned with sharp, serrated edges that add a touch of drama to the shrub's overall appearance. As for the berries, which are a defining characteristic of the Blue Princess Holly, they emerge in a vibrant shade of red, creating a stunning contrast against the deep green backdrop of the leaves. These berries are not just visually appealing, but they also serve as a valuable food source for local birds during the winter months, adding to the plant's appeal for wildlife. The Blue Princess Holly is a female variety, which means it requires a male pollinator in the vicinity to produce its colorful berries. Its plush appearance and year-round interest make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add structure and vibrancy to their landscape. This holly can flourish in a variety of garden settings, making it a versatile addition to any outdoor space.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Aquifoliaceae.
Synonyms
Blue Princess Holly, Meserve Holly, Blue Holly.
Common names
Ilex × meserveae Blue Princess = 'Conapri' (f).
ToxicityTo humans
The Blue Princess Holly is considered to have components that can be toxic to humans if ingested. Its berries contain saponins, which can cause symptoms when eaten in large quantities. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it could potentially lead to dehydration due to the gastrointestinal upset. It is essential to avoid ingesting the berries or any other parts of this plant.
To pets
Blue Princess Holly is also toxic to pets. Ingesting the berries can lead to similar symptoms as in humans, including vomiting, diarrhea, decreased energy, and abdominal pain. It is crucial to prevent pets from consuming any part of the plant to avoid these potentially harmful effects. If ingestion occurs, contacting a veterinarian promptly would be advisable.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters)
Spread
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Ilex × meserveae Blue Princess is known for its striking dark blue-green evergreen foliage which adds year-round color and texture to landscapes.
- Wildlife Support: It provides berries that are a food source for birds during the winter months, offering ecological support.
- Privacy Screening: With its dense growth habit, it can be used as a hedge or privacy screen to delineate spaces or hide unsightly areas.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Blue Princess Holly requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners seeking plants with lower maintenance needs.
- Drought Tolerance: It is relatively resistant to drought, which means it requires less frequent watering once mature.
- Cold Hardy: This plant is able to withstand cold temperatures, making it suitable for growing in a variety of climates, particularly in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
- Pollinator-Friendly: While the Blue Princess Holly is a female cultivar and requires a male pollinator, it can support the local bee population when planted alongside a suitable male holly for berry production.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wildlife Habitat: Blue Princess Holly provides dense cover and nesting opportunities for birds like cardinals and mockingbirds seeking shelter from the elements and predators.
- Berry Ink: The bright red berries can be crushed to create a natural dye or ink for arts and crafts projects.
- Winter Garden Interest: The evergreen foliage and vibrant berries add color and texture to gardens during the dull winter months.
- Privacy Screen: Planted in a row, Blue Princess Holly can create an effective visual barrier between properties due to its dense growth.
- Topiary Art: Gardeners can train and prune this plant into various shapes, making it a valuable plant for topiary art.
- Seasonal Decorations: Branches with berries can be cut and used in wreaths, garlands, and other festive arrangements during the holiday season.
- Photography: The contrasting colors of the Blue Princess Holly make it an excellent subject for garden and nature photography, especially in winter.
- Erosion Control: Its extensive root system helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas prone to soil degradation.
- Hedging: When trimmed regularly, Blue Princess Holly can serve as an attractive formal hedge in landscape design.
- Theme Gardens: Ideal for winter or fairy tale-themed gardens, providing a backdrop that suggests enchantment and mystery.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Blue Holly is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Blue Holly is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: The Blue Princess Holly, with its sharp leaves, is often considered a symbol of protection, as holly has traditionally been used to ward off negative energies and to safeguard homes.
- Eternal Life: The evergreen nature of the Blue Princess Holly, which retains its vibrant green foliage all year round, is emblematic of immortality and the continuous cycle of life.
WaterThe Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' should be watered deeply and thoroughly to ensure the roots have adequate moisture. This typically translates to supplying 1 to 2 gallons of water per week depending on weather conditions. During the growing season, and especially in the high heat of summer, monitoring the soil moisture is crucial; the soil should remain moist but not waterlogged. Reduce water frequency during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Over-watering can cause root rot, so it is essential to ensure good drainage.
LightThe Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, situate this holly where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If planted in too much shade, the plant may not produce as many berries and its growth may become sparse.
TemperatureThe Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about -20°F, but the ideal growing temperatures are between 50°F and 70°F. It is important to protect it from extreme winter winds which can cause the leaves to desiccate.
PruningPruning the Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' is essential to maintain its desired shape and to encourage the growth of the plant. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and thin out crowded areas to improve light penetration and air circulation. Occasional pruning is sufficient unless shaping is required more frequently.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlue Princess Holly thrives in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. A mix incorporating peat moss, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingBlue Princess Holly, being a slow-growing shrub, doesn't require frequent repotting. Repotting every 3 to 4 years, or when rootbound, is sufficient to maintain its health.
Humidity & MistingBlue Princess Holly tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate humidity. Avoid extremely dry conditions to ensure healthy growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Blue Princess Holly in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained, acidic soil in full to partial sun.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleBlue Princess Holly ('Conapri') begins its life as a seed, which requires a period of cold stratification to break dormancy before germination occurs. Once sprouted, seedlings develop into juvenile plants with an active growth phase characterized by the rapid expansion of leaves and roots. Following the juvenile stage, the Holly enters a maturation phase where growth rates slow down, and it begins to produce the characteristic sharp, glossy, evergreen leaves and small white flowers, which are usually pollinated by insects. After pollination, berries start to form, which will turn into the bright red drupes the Blue Princess Holly is known for, typically maturing in the fall. The holly then reaches a maintenance phase where growth stabilizes; it requires consistent care to ensure its health. This plant can live for many years, and without significant disturbance or environmental stress, it can remain in this mature stage indefinitely, with annual cycles of flowering and berry production.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter to early spring
The Blue Holly 'Conapri', commonly known as the Blue Princess holly, is predominantly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The preferred time to take these cuttings is in late summer to early fall, when the current year's growth has begun to harden. To propagate by cuttings, a 4 to 6 inch long piece of semi-hardwood stem is cut just below a leaf node, and the lower leaves are removed. The cut end may be treated with a rooting hormone to encourage root development before being placed in a well-draining growing medium such as a mix of peat and perlite. It's important to maintain high humidity around the cutting, often by covering it with a plastic bag or using a mist system, without saturating the soil. Rooting can take several weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to less controlled conditions before being planted out.
