Stylish Standard Holly Blue Maid

A heavenly holly, Ilex meserveae 'Blue Maid' is a fully hardy evergreen which will add an incredible splash of colour during the darkest months. A female variety with tiny white blooms, which are produced in spring, almost seeming to twinkle against the dark green glossy foliage. If fertilised by a nearby male variety like 'Blue Prince' for example, a profusion of bright red berries will follow. Supplied as a 'standard' in a white, plastic, 21cm Tedi pot, the lollipop shape looks just fantastic when a pair is placed either side of an entrance way, patio windows or as a welcoming (and not really prickly) gesture to your guests. Of course, you want to maintain the lovely round shape, but bar that, little pruning is required. Fully hardy with an RHS hardiness rating of H7, plant standard Holly trees in garden borders in any moist, well drained garden soil, in full sun or partial shade. Alternatively grow Holly tree standards in large patio containers using soil-based compost such as John Innes No.3. Supplied with a stem height of around 50cm, the rounded topiary head is around 20-25cm.