China Girl® Holly
Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog'
Description | This mounding evergreen holly boasts a profusion of bright red berries each fall, backed by lustrous green foliage. Partners well with China Boy as a pollenizer, to assure berry set. The dense branching habit takes well to formal pruning. The ornamental berries are a valuable food source for overwintering birds. Excellent heat tolerance. |
---|---|
Light | Full sun, Partial sun |
Watering | Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry. |
Blooms | Spring |
Mature Size | Moderate growing; reaches 8 to 10 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide. |
Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
---|---|
Special Features | Easy Care, Ornamental Berries, Benefits Birds |
Growth Rate | Moderate |
Patent Act | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
Landscape Use | Barrier, Border, Hedge, Privacy Screen |
---|---|
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. |
Flower Color | White |
Foliage Color | Green |
Companion Plants | Lily of the Valley (Pieris); Magnolia (Magnolia); Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Mountain Laurel (Kalmia); Hydrangea (Hydrangea) |
Care | Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils, but highly adaptable. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, prune annually to shape. |
---|
Lore | Though an extremely valuable food source to birds and wildlife, Holly berries are considered mildly toxic, causing gastric upset if consumed by humans. |
---|
This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-9

Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant
Buy Online
This plant is not available to purchase online.
Check a local Monrovia retailer.
Buy Locally
This plant may be available in these stores:
Due to the seasonal nature of plants, availability at your local garden center is not guaranteed. Give them a call before visiting.
-
101 Market 8980 Quantrelle Ave. N.e.
Otsego, MN 55330 -
14th Street Garden Center 793 Jersey Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07303 -
3rd Avenue Floral & Greenhouse 1110 3rd Ave. West
Dickinson, ND 58601
About Us
Monrovia grows beautiful plants for every region
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.