Ilex Blue Angel

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ · November 2020

Hello, first time posting so I'm hoping it's in the right category.

I bought a small blue angel Holly this summer which has neither flowered nor berried. I'm not too worried, it's still a small bush.

But will I need a male bush to get berries and does it need to be the same variety?

Many thanks for any help.

Silver surfer · November 2020

Too young to get flower this year .

Full name is Ilex x meserveae Blue angel.....it is a female holly so should get berries.
To ensure good pollination I would plant a male in the same area.
.....Ilex x meserveae Blue Prince.

Both can be kept small by pruning if you do not have much space.

https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ilex-meserveae-blue-angel-potted-holly

https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/s10644-ilex-blue-prince-holly?fee=7&fep=12890&gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyIbd1ZP9MDO2-sMU-FRYsn8dNZOtoyOsz4Q4haZck3slxT3R0of5rxoCev8QAvD_BwE

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ · November 2020

Thank you for the response. I figured it was just too soon. I hadn't seen it flower so wasn't hopeful on berries this year.

I'm gutted it needs to be the same variety. I hoped they weren't too fussy!!! But knowledge is power and all that jazz.

I'm going to let it romp away for a good few years, as it's main purpose is to provide some shelter for birds and protection from cats. And all year interest as a glorious bush. But anything that might help the prolific feline population from using the front garden as a loo whilst torturing the dog, is a bonus I don't overlook.

Paul B3 · November 2020

My own shrub of this variety is around 6' x 4' and is currently in full fruit ; I really can't imagine any of my immediate neighbours having either of the above mentioned in their gardens .

However , there are numerous native Ilex around in differing properties in the area ; maybe these could be the pollinators of mine ?

Dovefromabove · November 2020

Yes, it doesn’t need to be any particular variety of Holly to pollinate a female type, just as long as it is one which bears male flowers. The common native type will do the job just fine.

I suspect @Silver surfer suggested Blue Prince because it has similar foliage and would make a matching pair.

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ · November 2020

Thanks guys that's really helpful. I might try a variegated male holly then and see what happens. If I have no luck next year then I'll reconsider and get a blue man holly!

Silver surfer · November 2020

Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen' .... in spite of the name is actually a male holly.

https://www.google.com/search?q="Ilex+aquifolium+'Silver+Queen'&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjkxrDFqoXtAhUUmVwKHSmeAk8Q_AUoAXoECAgQAw&biw=1280&bih=579

JennyJ · November 2020

Silver Queen is lovely, and the bees go mad for its flowers. I had to cut mine down in August because the main trunk was leaning over the fence line and our new neighbours wanted to put in a 6ft fence (it's the back garden, so fair enough). We left about a 2 foot stump (about 4" diameter) and it's now sprouting new growth all around

I'm planning to try and keep it reasonably compact, but we'll see how it goes.

Ilex Blue Angel

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