China Girl® Holly
Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog'
This mounding shrub boasts a profusion of bright red berries each fall. Dense branching habit takes shearing well. Excellent heat tolerance. Use China Boy Holly as a pollenizer. Evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | I-leks MESS-erv-ay |
| Key feature: | Ornamental Berries |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 9, 14 - 17 |
| Water Needs: | Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 8 to 10 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Easy Care, Ornamental Berries, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Barrier, Border, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen, Specimen, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 4524 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
This rugged female Holly needs a pollenizer for fruit. However, with or without fruit, it is excellent hedge material and a perfect candidate for formal gardens. Its dense habit takes oval or pyramidal forms. If left unsheared, it makes an ideal screen for planting strips between driveways, where it can take reflected heat and reduces glare.
Companion Plants
China Boy is a must companion in order for China Girl to set berries. A wonderful addition to the sunny edge of an Asian woodland garden when planted alongside Peony, Japanese Maple, Spirea, Rose of Sharon, Japanese Rose and Osmanthus.
History
I. x meserveae were originally bred by Mrs. Leighton Meserve of New York by using two species, I. rugosa, a cold hardy, Japanese spreading Holly, and I. aquifolium, a European tree holly that produces an abundance of berries. Holly berries are mildly toxic and will cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten by humans. They are an extremely valuable food source to birds and other animals.
This mounding shrub boasts a profusion of bright red berries each fall. Dense branching habit takes shearing well. Excellent heat tolerance. Use China Boy Holly as a pollenizer. Evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
This rugged female Holly needs a pollenizer for fruit. However, with or without fruit, it is excellent hedge material and a perfect candidate for formal gardens. Its dense habit takes oval or pyramidal forms. If left unsheared, it makes an ideal screen for planting strips between driveways, where it can take reflected heat and reduces glare.
Companion Plants
China Boy is a must companion in order for China Girl to set berries. A wonderful addition to the sunny edge of an Asian woodland garden when planted alongside Peony, Japanese Maple, Spirea, Rose of Sharon, Japanese Rose and Osmanthus.
History
I. x meserveae were originally bred by Mrs. Leighton Meserve of New York by using two species, I. rugosa, a cold hardy, Japanese spreading Holly, and I. aquifolium, a European tree holly that produces an abundance of berries. Holly berries are mildly toxic and will cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten by humans. They are an extremely valuable food source to birds and other animals.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | I-leks MESS-erv-ay |
| Key feature: | Ornamental Berries |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 9, 14 - 17 |
| Water Needs: | Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 8 to 10 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Easy Care, Ornamental Berries, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Barrier, Border, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen, Specimen, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 4524 |
