China Girl® Holly Shrub | Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog'

China Girl® Holly Shrub | Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog'

Plant Highlights:

• Growing Zone: 4-9
• Plant Brand: The Plant Factory Choice
• Botanical Name: Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog' China Girl® 
• Foliage Color: Green
• Flower Color: White
• Flower Fragrance: Sweet Fragrance
• Fall Color: N/A
• Type: Evergreen
• Mature Height: 8-10'
• Mature Width: 6-8'
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Sun
• Soil Needs: Adapts well to a variety of soils
• Water Needs: Low to Moderate  
• Pruning Needs: Prune to remove any dead branches or for a more uniform look
• Awards:
• Grown by: The Plant Factory

Additional Highlights:

• Pollinator Friendly: Yes
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Pet Friendly: No
• Reblooming: No
• Cold and Heat Tolerant: Yes
• Drought Tolerant: Yes, once established
• Salt Tolerant: Yes, suitable for coastal gardens

Known by many as "China Girl Holly," Ilex 'Mesog' is a beautiful evergreen shrub that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. This exceptional holly brings year-round beauty with its rich, glossy dark green leaves, creating a stunning contrast against winter landscapes that you simply can't overlook. In the fall and winter months, this plant showcases stunning clusters of bright red berries, offering a captivating display when other plants have shed their foliage. This holly, reaching a mature height of 8-10 feet and a width of 6-8 feet, is an outstanding choice for a privacy hedge, a striking specimen plant, or a reliable foundation shrub.  

"China Girl Holly" is dioecious, which means it needs a male pollinator such as Ilex 'Meserve' or Ilex 'China Boy' to produce berries. This is an excellent option for drawing in birds and elevating the natural allure of your garden. The holly is an excellent choice for your garden, as it is resistant to deer, thanks to its spiny, leathery leaves. Ilex 'Mesog' is a fantastic option for families with pets, as it is deemed pet safe, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners.

Care: 

For the best results, ensure you plant your China Girl Holly in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. This will promote optimal growth and health for your plant. For optimal planting, create a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball, but keep the depth consistent. This will guarantee that the crown of the plant sits perfectly level with the soil surface. To ensure a robust root system, it's essential to water regularly during the first year. After that, continue to water as necessary, particularly during dry spells. Applying a layer of mulch around the base is essential for retaining moisture and ensuring that the roots stay cool. Pruning in late winter or early spring is essential for shaping your plants and eliminating any dead or damaged growth. Fertilizing in early spring with a balanced fertilizer is essential for promoting healthy growth. It's crucial to avoid excessive fertilization, as this can lead to the plant becoming too leggy.

Fertilizing:

Fertilize in early spring with our SR-18-5-10 slow release fertilizer for maximum growth and plant health. 

Ordering:

Our processing time usually is 1-3 days after receiving the order. Orders taken after 4:00 pm on Wednesday through Sunday will be shipped the following Monday.

Shipping:

The Plant Factory, Inc. offers the very best shipping processes to ensure quick, safe, and near-perfect results every time. Cold and heat may deter your order temporarily until it is safe to receive and plant your plants/trees in your area. At our discretion, we will hold order till the threat is gone ensuring you with the healthiest-viable product ordered.

Summer/Winter Shipping Restrictions – Summer above 95 degrees | Winter - Below 34 degrees

Just a heads up! We share pictures and videos on our site to showcase our products and highlight the quality of our growing process. However, depending on the season you purchase, you can receive a plant that is smaller or larger than what is presented. There's a chance you might see a plant blooming like the one on our site, but it's not guaranteed. We often trim off blooms since they don't travel well. When you buy our plants, think of it as a wonderful investment in your future garden! Enjoy the journey of nurturing them to their fullest potential.

What makes Plant Factory Direct a great option?

We grow our plants right here at our nursery! Our knowledgeable staff uses top-notch horticultural practices to make sure our plants are healthy and of the highest quality. We choose your plants with the same care and thoughtfulness as if we were picking them for ourselves. We aim to go above and beyond what our customers expect. We take pride in providing wonderful “out of the box” experiences, along with friendly customer service and speedy resolutions.