Ilex x meserveae

Redefining blue holly, Castle Rouge^® blue holly stuns with a shock of winter color. Its base color is a glossy dark green. New growth tinges the green with a red-burgundy glow. It adopts a dark burgundy winter coat, an elegant note in any winter. This male plant pollinates the female members of the Castle series and beyond, but with handsome foliage, it doesn’t need to be stuffed into an out of the way spot like most other male pollinating plants. Use it in a mixed hedge or as an element in a foundation planting.

Castle Rouge^™ blue holly is a male variety that does not get fruit but will serve to pollinate female varieties, like Castle Spire^® and Pharos Gold^™ holly. One male will pollinate up to 5 females. Plant within 50'/15.25m of each other to ensure pollination.

Male holly, like Castle Rouge may be pruned after flowering if desired, but its natural habit should need little trimming.

Holly prefers acidic soils with average moisture and appreciates a good layer of mulch. If desired, apply a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs in early spring.