Castle Rouge® Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae)

More than just a pollinator, Castle Rouge® Blue Holly brings bold beauty to the landscape. While its primary role is to support berry production on female blue hollies—like Castle Keep®—this male variety doesn’t fade into the background. Instead, it stands out with vibrant red new growth throughout the season and rich burgundy tones that deepen in winter. With a commanding size and a full, upright habit, Castle Rouge® produces an abundance of soft, spring flowers—offering both visual appeal and essential pollen for nearby female hollies. Its foliage is soft to the touch, making it a welcoming choice for planting near walkways, in cutting gardens, or along driveways where beauty and utility go hand-in-hand. Functional, attractive, and full of seasonal interest, Castle Rouge® Blue Holly proves that pollinators can be as ornamental as they are essential. 5-8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide at maturity Hardy in zones 5-7, be sure to check your USDA zone to ensure success Plant in part to full sun (4+ hours daily) Space plants 4-5 feet apart for best results Produces white flowers in the spring Maintains soft to the touch deep green foliage year-round, with new growth emerging red Blooms on old wood Great for borders, hedges, edges, landscapes or mass planting  Fall and winter interest Care: Fertilize with Proven Winners Continuous Release Plant Food in spring and mid summer. It’s best to avoid pruning, as flowers grow from old wood. If you need to do a few maintenance cuts, you can do so in the late winter or early spring. Pollination: This is a male variety. It will not produce berries, but is used to pollinate females. Plant one male for every seven females, and be sure to position them within 50 feet of each other so they can get good cross-pollination. Shipping Info: Enjoy free shipping on orders over $175 Size at shipping varies by the season and plant Quart shrubs are 5-8" tall at shipment 1-Gallon shrubs are 6-24" tall at shipment Shrubs ship dormant November through April Read our guide to get started with planning a garden