Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush

Everyone loves holly for the festive season; Christmas wreathes and decorations are not complete without those bright red berries and rich green leaves. But if you live in cooler parts of the country, you cannot grow most varieties of holly, because they will not tolerate winter temperatures below minus 10. Now we offer you the solution – the Blue Prince and Princess Holly Bush. This specially-bred holly will survive temperatures of minus 30, so it can be grown in all but the coldest parts of the country. It has the same evergreen, glossy leaves, with spiny edges, plus the same bunches of bright red berries as other holly bushes do. It grows into a dense shrub 8 feet tall and as much wide, or even taller, to 12 feet, in time.

The benefits don’t end there, as there is a second issue with growing holly. Lots of gardeners plant a holly bush, not realizing that this plant is unusual, because there are separate male and female trees in the holly family. That’s right – a female tree, which makes the berries, cannot do it unless there is a male tree nearby. So that tree you might be tempted to buy one Christmas, covered with berries, will never produced any more berries for you, once you plant it in the garden.

Growing Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bushes

The only thing you used to be able to do was plant a second bush, this time a male, but that means growing two plants. If you have the room we certainly do sell Blue Prince Holly and Blue Princess Holly as separate plants, ideal for making a hedge or planting a larger area. For a smaller, hardy holly bush we also have the lovely Blue Girl Holly. All of them are hardy and attractive bushes that will be a real asset in your garden.

Here at the Tree Center we are always looking for ways to give our customers more convenience, and we know that some of you only have room for one bush. So we talked to our growers and they prepared pots that have a plant of Blue Princess Holly and a plant of Blue Prince Holly, growing together in the same pot. That way they will intertwine and form a single bush, with lots of berries, making the perfect solution for the smaller garden. Additionally, the Blue Prince and Princess Holly Bush will grow 8 to 12 feet tall if left unclipped.

Planting Location

Plant your bush in a sunny or shady location – it will be happy in either, and if you live in zone 4 choose a sheltered spot to plant your bush. You may find that in a hard winter in the coldest areas the upper branches may die back, but the lower parts of your plant will be just fine. If that happens you will not have such a tall plant, but you will still have a great harvest of berries for the festive season.

History and Origins of the Blue Princess and Princess Holly

Kathleen Kellogg Meserve moved to her ten acre garden in St. James, Long Island shortly after WWII. She was a keen gardener who loved holly but found that the common holly, Ilex aquifolium, did not grow well. That holly is a native of Europe, and Britain. It grows well in more southern areas, but in the northern states the winters were just too cold. Mrs. Meserve collected many kinds of holly trees from around the world and found that one, the prostrate holly from Japan, Ilex rugosa, was extremely hardy and never suffered any damage in winter.

She took pollen from the Ilex rugosa and used that to fertilize some flowers of the common holly. When she grew the resulting seeds she found that the plants were attractive like the common holly, but hardy like the prostrate holly – she had found the perfect holly for colder climates. Her plants all flowered at slightly different times, so she paired up the ones that flowered together and ‘Blue Princess’ and ‘Blue Prince’ were a perfect match – the ideal couple. ‘Blue Princess’ also produced a heavier crop of beautiful red berries than any of her other plants.

Buying Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bushes

We have paired these two varieties together as a single plant, to give you lots and lots of berries from what will grow into one beautiful holly tree. If you live further south, where the Prince and Princess find it too hot, and you want just one holly bush that has berries, we recommend the Foster Holly Bush, which is a very special female bush that produces berries all by herself – a very self-sufficient lady.

Now you can grow a single holly bush, even in cold areas and have a big crop of berries for the festive season. We are proud to be able to offer this alternative to our customers with small gardens, but the demand for these special plants is high and our stocks are limited. So to enjoy a great crop of holly berries, in the coldest places and the smallest gardens, order the Blue Prince and Princess Holly Bush now – don’t wait and risk disappointment.

What is the ideal soil type for the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is a versatile plant when it comes to soil types. It can grow in any garden soil, from sandy to clay, loamy to chalky. However, it particularly thrives in damp areas. This doesn’t mean it needs constant watering. Once established, the plant can withstand regular summer dryness, making it a low-maintenance choice for your garden.

How often should I fertilize the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is a low-maintenance plant that does not require frequent fertilizing. However, for optimal growth and berry production, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring. This will provide the plant with the necessary nutrients for the growing season. Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization, which can harm the plant.

Can the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush be grown in a pot?

Yes, the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush can be grown in a pot, making it a great choice for patios, balconies, or small gardens. However, keep in mind that this plant can grow up to 8 feet tall and wide. Regular pruning or clipping will be necessary to maintain a smaller size suitable for container growing. Choose a large, well-draining pot and use a high-quality potting mix to ensure the plant’s health.

How can I ensure a good berry production?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is a unique plant that includes both male and female plants in the same pot. This ensures that the female plant is pollinated by the male plant, leading to a good production of berries. You don’t need to do anything special to facilitate this process. Just plant the bush in a suitable location, provide basic care, and nature will take care of the rest!

What pests or diseases should I watch out for?

One of the great advantages of the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is its resistance to pests and diseases. It has no significant issues with common garden pests or diseases. Even deer, often a nuisance to gardeners, do not eat this plant. However, as with any plant, maintaining good health through proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning practices will help prevent any potential problems.

How much sun does the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush need?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is a versatile plant when it comes to sunlight requirements. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, making it a great choice for various locations in your garden. However, for the best berry production, a location with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended.

How hardy is the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is a very hardy plant. It can withstand winter temperatures down to minus 30 degrees, making it suitable for growing in colder areas, throughout USDA hardiness zone 4. This makes it a great choice for gardeners in colder climates who want to enjoy the beauty of holly bushes and their festive berries.

How fast does the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush grow?

The Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush has a moderate growth rate. Under optimal conditions, it can grow into a bush about 8 feet tall and the same across. However, the growth rate can vary depending on the growing conditions. Providing the plant with a suitable location, proper watering, and occasional fertilizing can promote faster growth.

When is the best time to prune the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush?

The best time to prune the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush is in early spring, before new growth begins. This allows the plant to put its energy into producing new growth that will be shaped by the pruning. However, if you’re pruning to harvest the berries for holiday decorations, you can do so in late fall or early winter. Always use sharp, clean pruning tools to prevent the spread of disease.

Can the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush be used for hedging?

Yes, the Blue Prince and Princess Combo Holly Bush can be used for hedging. Its dense growth habit and attractive foliage make it a great choice for creating privacy screens or hedges. Plus, the added bonus of bright red berries in the winter adds a pop of color to your landscape during the colder months. For a dense hedge, plant the bushes about 3-4 feet apart.