Holly Castle Wall 5 gallon

CASTLE WALL Ilex × meserveae 'Heckenstar'

Common Name: Heckenstar

Easily grown in average, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Part afternoon shade is best in hot summer climates. Best sited in locations protected from cold winter winds. Hollies are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Plant one male for every 3 to 5 female plants.

CASTLE WALL is a male clone that will not fruit. It serves as a pollinator for certain female clones including Ilex x meserveae ‘Hachfee’ CASTLE SPIRE. It may not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it should be sited in a sheltered location and given winter protection.

CASTLE WALL Ilex × meserveae, commonly known as Meserve holly or blue holly, is an evergreen hybrid holly that typically grows to 6-8’ tall, but occasionally to as much as 15’ tall. In the 1950s, Kathleen K. Meserve of St. James, New York made crosses between I. aquifolium (English holly – winter hardy to Zone 7) and I. rugosa (Tsuru holly – winter hardy to Zone 3) for purposes of creating an English-style hybrid that would have sufficient hardiness to survive the harsh winters of the northeastern U.S. Her efforts resulted in the creation and introduction of a number of hybrids, known today as the Meserve hollies, but which are also often called blue hollies because most have the word blue in the trade name or cultivar name in reference to foliage color. Distinguishing features of these bushy evergreen hybrids are (a) average height to 6-7’ tall, (b) glossy blue green leaves with prominent spiny margins, (c) purple stems, (d) greenish-white flowers in small clusters in May, (e) showy bright red berries on female plants in fall, often persisting until spring, and (f) excellent winter hardiness to USDA Zone 5.

Zone: 5 to 7

Height: 5.00 to 8.00 feet

Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Description: Greenish-white

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Hedge

Flower: Insignificant

Leaf: Evergreen

Other: Winter Interest

Tolerate: Air Pollution