{"product_id":"ilex-meserveae-blue-maid-1-2-standard-35-litre-pot","title":"Ilex Meserveae Blue Maid 1\/2 Standard 35 Litre Pot","description":"\u003ch3\u003eIlex × meserveae 'Blue Maid'\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBold, reliable, and brimming with seasonal colour, \u003cstrong\u003eIlex × meserveae 'Blue Maid'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the finest blue hollies available for the garden. Its evergreen leaves are a distinctive \u003cstrong\u003edeep blue-green with a glossy sheen\u003c\/strong\u003e, held on dark purple-tinged stems that add subtle interest even in the depths of winter. A female cultivar, 'Blue Maid' produces an impressive display of \u003cstrong\u003evivid red berries from autumn through winter\u003c\/strong\u003e, provided a compatible male pollinator such as \u003cem\u003eIlex × meserveae\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Prince' is growing nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNeat, dense, and naturally well-shaped, 'Blue Maid' forms a rounded, upright shrub that suits a wide range of garden roles — from a bold specimen or seasonal focal point to an ornamental hedge or structural planting within a mixed border. Its rich berry crop is a magnet for birds in the colder months, making it as valuable for wildlife as it is for its striking garden presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExceptionally hardy and bred to withstand harsh winters, \u003cem\u003eIlex × meserveae\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Maid' is a hybrid developed specifically for cold-climate performance, combining the toughness of \u003cem\u003eI. rugosa\u003c\/em\u003e with the ornamental qualities of \u003cem\u003eI. aquifolium\u003c\/em\u003e. It thrives in a wide variety of garden settings, including exposed and urban plots, with very little fuss once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 'Blue Maid' performs best in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun to partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e. A sunny position will encourage the most prolific berry production, while partial shade is well tolerated and useful in hotter, drier spots. Shelter from harsh, desiccating winds will help maintain the quality of the foliage through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best suited to \u003cstrong\u003emoist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil\u003c\/strong\u003e. Like most hollies, it dislikes waterlogged conditions but benefits from consistent moisture, particularly during the first growing season as it establishes. It adapts reasonably well to heavier clay soils provided drainage is adequate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a female cultivar, 'Blue Maid' requires a \u003cstrong\u003emale \u003cem\u003eIlex × meserveae\u003c\/em\u003e pollinator\u003c\/strong\u003e — such as 'Blue Prince' — growing in the vicinity to set its berry crop. One male plant is generally sufficient to pollinate several females within a reasonable proximity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly after planting to support establishment. Once the root system is well settled, 'Blue Maid' is \u003cstrong\u003efairly drought-tolerant\u003c\/strong\u003e, though it benefits from watering during prolonged dry spells, especially in exposed or free-draining situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e This holly requires \u003cstrong\u003eminimal pruning\u003c\/strong\u003e and naturally maintains a tidy, rounded form. If shaping or size control is needed, prune in \u003cstrong\u003elate winter or early spring\u003c\/strong\u003e before new growth begins, or lightly in midsummer. Avoid cutting back into old, leafless wood. When used as a hedge, clip annually to maintain a clean, dense outline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e An application of a \u003cstrong\u003ebalanced general-purpose fertiliser in spring\u003c\/strong\u003e will support healthy growth and a good berry set, particularly in poorer soils. A mulch of well-rotted compost or bark applied around the base in spring helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually improve the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife value:\u003c\/strong\u003e The \u003cstrong\u003ered berries are an important winter food source\u003c\/strong\u003e for thrushes, blackbirds, and other berry-feeding birds. Small spring flowers, though modest, offer early nectar to pollinators. This is a genuinely wildlife-friendly shrub with value across multiple seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57365207679302,"sku":"173852","price":280.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/Ilex-Meserveae-Blue-Maid-1-2-Standard-35-Litre-Pot_173852_2026-09-14.jpg?v=1789370135","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/ilex-meserveae-blue-maid-1-2-standard-35-litre-pot","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}