Mademoiselle Holly

The Mademoiselle Holly is a striking pyramidal evergreen holly quickly reaching 6 feet tall and maturing around 15 feet, with a base less than two-thirds of the height, and branches to the ground. The glossy, dark-green foliage emerges in spring a striking chocolate-red, adding a unique look to this plant. The leaves have the classic spiny outline, and with the crop of bright-red berries the branches are excellent for wreaths and vases. Plant it as a lawn specimen; around your home or in your shrub beds; edging woodlands, or as a bold screen.

• Rich chocolate-red new leaves in spring
• Attractive large leaves in that classic ‘holly’ form
• Abundant harvest of large, bright red berries
• Elegant pyramidal form even without trimming
• Pollinated by male blue hollies

The Mademoiselle Hollyshould be planted in full sun in cooler zones and with some shade in warmer areas – it will even grow in full dappled shade beneath trees or on the north side of a building. Moist, well-drained, richer soils are preferred, but this vigorous bush grows well in ordinary garden conditions. Established plants tolerate some drought, and they are untroubled by serious pests, diseases or by deer. Plant a male blue holly, such as ‘Blue Prince’, as a pollinator for the biggest berry crop.