Holly, Castle Spire #7
Castle Spire Holly
Ilex x meserveae 'Hachfee'
Height: Typically 8–10 feet tall in Michigan’s cooler climate
Spread: Approximately 3–4 feet wide
Spacing: Plant 4–5 feet apart to allow for its upright, columnar growth
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Description
Castle Spire Holly is a stunning evergreen shrub that makes a bold statement in your landscape. With its narrowly upright, pyramidal form and glossy, dark green leaves, this holly adds a refined and modern accent to borders, hedges, or foundation plantings. In the fall and winter, its abundant, bright red berries create a striking contrast against the rich foliage, providing year‐round visual interest that is both beautiful and textural.
This female holly thrives in Michigan’s cooler conditions, preferring moist, well‐drained, slightly acidic soil. For best results, ensure it receives at least 5–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It is highly deer resistant, making it a low‐maintenance choice that remains pristine throughout the seasons. While the berries are not edible, they offer a tart, decorative appeal and enhance winter landscapes. To ensure berry production, plant a compatible male pollinator nearby (one male for every 3–5 females).
General Care
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial sun
- Watering: Water regularly after planting to establish a deep root system; once established, needs little additional watering except during extended dry periods
- Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture and maintain stable soil temperature
- Pruning: Trim only to remove dead or damaged wood, ideally in early spring
- Pollination: As a female plant, requires a male pollinator to produce berries
Enhance your landscape with the timeless elegance of Castle Spire Holly—a showstopper that delivers brilliant winter berries and a beautifully compact, evergreen form all year long.
