Ilex x meserveae 'Honey Maid'

Honey Maid Holly

Ilex × meserveae ‘Honey Maid’ is an evergreen holly valued for its glossy blue-green foliage edged with creamy yellow to golden variegation, creating bright year-round contrast. The leaves are moderately spined, and the colorful foliage is often accented by pinkish tones in new growth. Female plants may produce bright red berries when pollinated, adding winter interest.

Type: Evergreen shrub
Mature Size: Width: 5–6 ft · Height: 6–8 ft
USDA Zones: 5a–7b

Form: Dense, upright-rounded

Light: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil

Water: Medium; prefers regular moisture during establishment

Wildlife: Berries attract birds

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for specimen planting, mixed evergreen borders, foundation plantings, and hedges where variegated foliage brightens the landscape year-round.

Care:
Plant in well-drained acidic soil and protect from drying winter winds in exposed sites. Prune lightly in late winter or early spring if shaping is needed. A male pollinator nearby improves berry production on female plants.

Plant type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Evergreen Shrub

Height

5'

Width

5'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Late Spring

Flower color

White

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Acidic, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Foundation

Shape

Dense, Rounded, Upright

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No