What soil does Blue holly grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Blue holly be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Blue holly be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 2.5 plants per metre.

How much water does Blue holly need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Blue holly cost?

It sells for roughly €5 to €110 in local shops, depending on size.

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae

Blue holly (Ilex × meserveae) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about €5.

Illustration of Blue holly — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A dense evergreen shrub with glossy, blue-green, spiny leaves that is much hardier than English holly, so it works both as an impenetrable hedge and as a specimen that looks good in winter. It is dioecious: red berries appear only on female plants, and only when a male is planted nearby (one male is enough for three to five females). Give it slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil and, where summers are hot, shelter from afternoon sun and cold winter winds.

Watch out for

In calcareous, alkaline soil the leaves turn yellow (chlorosis), the plant weakens and may die, so in many Central European gardens it needs acidic planting compost and regular soil acidifying. Winter sun and wind over frozen ground can scorch the leaves, and it suffers in hot dry summers without watering. Holly leaf miner, scale, spider mites and leaf spot may occur.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1.5–4.5 m × 1–3.6 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €5

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
under 30 cm	approx. €5
30-60 cm	approx. €21
60-100 cm	approx. €27
100-150 cm	approx. €69
150-200 cm	approx. €110
size not stated	approx. €25

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Blue holly vs English holly Blue holly vs Japanese holly Blue holly vs Photinia 'Red Robin'

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