
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
This semi-dwarf evergreen will keep your landscape looking pristine all year around. It is a female variety and has the ability to produce red berries when a male Castle Wall Holly is planted close by. It will maintain its shape without having to prune. Thanks to its semi-dwarf habit, it is perfect for home landscapes!
The foliage is what is noticeable about the Castle Keep Blue Holly. It is a deep glossy green. It is soft to the touch and appears to be leathery. If it has a bloom season, white flowers appear in the spring which in turn produce red berries. The garden height is thirty-six to sixty inches. The spread reaches thirty-six to forty-eight inches. Use the Castle Keep Blue Holly for border planting, or in mass planting. Its texture makes for a great focal point. Add this plant to any landscape for year around color.
Castle Keep Blue Holly Care
Plant in full to part sun. Ensure it receives at minimum 4 hours of sun each day. Soil should be well drained. It prefers acidic soil and has average water needs. Thanks to its rounded and dense habit pruning is not required or recommended. This is a female variety. It requires a male variety within 50 feet in order to produce fruit.
Castle Keep Blue Holly Spacing
Be sure to space your Castle Keep Blue Holly 36” to 48” inches, center on center. Correct spacing is important when using for mass plating or any planting in proximity.
Castle Keep Blue Holly Plant Facts
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7 |
Flower Color(s): White |
Bloom Period: Spring |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
Height Class: Short |
Height: 3-5 Feet |
Spread: 3-4 Feet |
Spacing: 3-4 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Blooms On: Old Wood |
Watering: Average |
Shrub Type: Evergreen |
Scientific Name: Castle Keep Ilex x meserveae 'SMNIFA' USPPAF |
Common Name: Castle Keep Blue Holly |
Other Name(s): Meserve Hybrid Holly |
Brand: Proven Winners ColorChoice® |
Drought Tolerant: No |
Features: Winter Interest; Foliage Interest; Dwarfing |
- SKU:
- ILECK
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.