Dragon Lady Holly

Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex x aquipernyi 'Meschick')

Dragon Lady Holly is a very narrow, columnar evergreen with stiff, glossy dark green foliage and a naturally formal outline. A female selection, it sets showy red berries in fall when a compatible male holly is nearby, offering year-round structure and seasonal color.

Distinctive Features

Upright, space-saving habit with dense branching and lustrous, spiny leaves; takes formative pruning when young to build a straight leader and tight, symmetrical column.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; best density and fruiting with at least half day sun.
• Soil: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil; avoid waterlogged sites.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment, then deep water in extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8.
• Mature Size: About 15 to 20 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Slender, architectural form anchors entries and narrow beds.
• Hedges and Screens: Tall, tight column creates refined evergreen privacy.
• Foundation Planting: Frames corners and doorways without excess spread.
• Formal Designs: Suits paired plantings and clipped symmetry.
• Wildlife Gardens: With a male nearby, berries provide seasonal bird food.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water regularly the first season; provide deep, occasional soaks in drought.
• Pruning: Train a strong central leader and shape in late winter; light touch thereafter to maintain column.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with an acid-forming, slow-release fertilizer if soil tests indicate need.
• Mulching: Maintain a 2 inch mulch ring to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off stems.
• Notes: Female cultivar; pair with a compatible male holly such as a male Meserve or I. pernyi for fruit set.

Why Choose Dragon Lady Holly?

• Ultra-Narrow Form: Delivers height and privacy where space is limited.
• Four-Season Structure: Evergreen foliage and dense branching hold a crisp line.
• High Gloss Foliage: Shiny dark leaves add depth and contrast.
• Fruit Potential: Abundant red berries with pollination.
• Design Versatility: Effective as specimen, allee, or formal screen.

Plant in sun to part shade with well drained, slightly acidic soil, train early for a straight leader, and pair with a compatible male holly to enjoy reliable fruit set and a stately, space-smart screen.