Holly

‘Prince/Princess’ Holly (Ilex × ‘Prince/Princess’). Ilex × ‘Prince/Princess’ is a duo of evergreen hybrid hollies consisting of a male ‘Prince’ plant and a female ‘Princess’ plant, selected for their excellent hardiness and abundant winter fruiting. This holly is distinguished by its dark green, thick, and glossy evergreen foliage, providing decorative structure all year round. Its general habit is upright, dense, and well-branched, with a silhouette that is taller than it is wide, ideal 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, offering strong ornamental and ecological interest throughout winter.

To plant ‘Prince/Princess’ holly, choose a suitable exposure: sun. The recommended soil is: acidic, moist to wet, well-drained. Water the root ball before planting and ensure that water can drain after planting. During establishment, check moisture by hand before watering again. Spread mulch around the base, leaving the collar clear. Avoid systematic fertilizer applications without considering the soil's richness. In Quebec, choose a period when the soil is thawed and easy to work with. In hot weather, monitor recently planted plants more frequently.

Allow for a width of 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft) to plan this plant’s space in the garden. The indicated height of 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) helps choose its position relative to neighboring plants. Maintain access to the base for weeding, checking moisture, and removing damaged parts. Combine this variety with plants whose light and water needs are compatible. If you are considering a container, first check that its volume and drainage are suitable for root development. Roots in pots are more exposed to cold than those planted in the ground.