Re: Meserve Hollies
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Meserve Hollies
- From: C* P*
- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 14:04:14 EST
In a message dated 11/20/00 1:16:29 PM Eastern Standard Time,
diehlr@INDIANA.EDU writes:
<< First, I am told that either 'China Boy/Girl" or 'Blue Prince/Princess"
would be most likely to succeed for me. Is this correct or should I try
another hybrid? Dirr says these two are hardy to -20. We occasionally get
a little colder (but only rarely). Which would be most likely to survive
here? How much farther north can these guys be grown successfully, and
what are your secrets, if any? >>
Hello Bobbi,
Noone is more surprised than me to report that Meserve hollies do well in
zone 4. They have prospered in drought, cold and all sun exposures. I even
have had to trim some for sending out long shoots where not wanted. I should
add that we have a lot of wind from elevation and that has not been problem
as it is with some broad-leaf evergreens.
I have five plants all around five or more years in place. One year after
trimming them into a balanced shape, I rooted the cuttings and ended up
around twenty more. Those have been given away. I never thought I would
have a surfeit of holly.
You may want to check the final size and shape before you select. I cannot
remember which is the taller, as we have purchased both cv's you mention.
The very best location is some shade in moist to wet soil. You probably know
you need one male plant for berry formation. I have two huge plants growing
on a slope with afternoon sun, one now covered with red berries - truly an
attractive holly. These two have lived through the three drought years with
no help other than permanent mulch of half finished compost covered with wood
chips. Our soil is naturally a low pH with rock underlying everywhere. I
did nothing to the site when planting other than dig out some rocks.
I have a friend in another town with a eight ft. high Meserve holly, covered
with berries, growing in sandy soil. She is no gardener, the holly is on
it's own.
Do try them. Perhaps buying five or six in small sizes and trying more than
one location will give you the best information. A few years ago they were
common in both Kmart and Walmart. I haven't looked recently. Probably Home
Depot also.
As all woody plants, I think the first year and the second year are the most
important.
It seems to me that holly grows in swamps in the South. Being entirely
sloped, on a hillside, well drained soil has not been a problem here.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
