Botanical profile

Ilex × 'Blue Boy-Girl'

Latin name
Ilex × 'Blue Boy-Girl'
Common name
Holly 'Blue Boy-Girl'
Type
Ornamental shrub
Family
Aquifoliaceae

Ilex × ‘Blue Boy-Girl’ refers to a duo of evergreen hybrid hollies consisting of a male ‘Blue Boy’ plant and a female ‘Blue Girl’ plant, grown together to ensure abundant winter fruiting. This holly is distinguished by its dark green evergreen foliage with bluish tints, thick and lustrous, highly ornamental all year round. The overall habit is upright, dense, and well-branched, with a silhouette that is taller than it is wide, perfectly suited for evergreen hedges, visual screens, and specimen plantings. In spring, a discreet creamy-white bloom appears, followed in autumn by a generous production of bright red berries on the female plants, providing strong ornamental and ecological interest in winter. Very hardy and tolerant of pruning, Ilex × ‘Blue Boy-Girl’ is particularly valued for durably structuring the garden and offering a four-season display, while serving as a refuge and food source for wildlife.

Care guide

Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 3
Exposure
Sun
Watering
Moderate
Fertilization
Low to moderate, fertilizer for acid-loving shrubs
Soil type
Acidic, moist to well-drained
Minimum temperature
-35°C
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Spring
Flower color
Subtle off-white
Fruiting
Persistent decorative red berries on female plants
Foliage color
Dark green with bluish tints
Foliage type
Persistent
Shape
Upright, dense, and well-branched shrub
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
6.5–10 ft (2–3 m)
Width
1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft)
Growth rate
Moderate
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Pollinators
Attracts or supports pollinating insects

Pollinators

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.