Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly

The Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly is all about foliage. Ovate leaves gently narrow to a rounded point and feature pronounced serrated edges. Glossy, dark green foliage provides dependable color. The green leaves have a reddish-burgundy tint, and the foliage goes full dark burgundy by winter. Inconspicuous white flowers bloom in the spring. This male plant pollinates various female holly shrubs, so it is grown for its ornamental foliage and to ensure female holly bushes develop berries. Feature this holly shrub in a hedge to create privacy in a backyard or entertaining area. Plant it along a driveway or fence to soften hard edges. The Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly provides year-round visual interest and can be planted alongside female holly bushes to ensure winter berries. This plant supports pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Grow the Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly in zones 5 through 7. Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly Care The Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly is adaptable and can live in partial shade to full sun. The soil should be slightly acidic, moist, and well drained. Ilex cultivars need about two inches of water weekly. Fertilize annually using a slow-release product. Prune in late spring or early summer after flowering is complete. Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly blooms on old wood, so pruning any other time may result in fewer flowers, reducing the chance of berries on nearby female shrubs. Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly Spacing Mature Castle Rouge™ Blue Holly shrubs stand 5 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Plant shrubs 4 to 5 feet apart to create a dense hedge.