Dragon Lady Holly Live Plant – Upright Evergreen Shrub – 6 inch tall – 3 inch container

Overview

Introduce an elegant and distinctive vertical element to your garden with the dragon lady holly live plant. This exceptional evergreen shrub, scientifically known as Ilex x aquipernyi ‘Meschick’, commonly referred to as ‘Dragon Lady’, is celebrated for its unique growth habit and year-round visual appeal. Growing as a striking, upright, and very narrow pyramid, it provides a strong architectural statement in any landscape. Its glossy, dark green leaves remain attractive throughout all seasons, offering a consistent backdrop or focal point. In the fall, the plant adorns itself with an abundance of bright scarlet fruits that persist through the winter, creating a stunning contrast against the dark foliage and attracting local wildlife. This robust and beautiful upright evergreen shrub is a fantastic choice for those seeking a low-maintenance yet high-impact addition to their outdoor spaces.

The dragon lady holly live plant is highly adaptable and can be used in various landscaping applications, from formal hedges to specimen plantings. Its compact, narrow form makes it ideal for smaller gardens or areas where space is a premium. Whether you’re looking to create a living screen, add vertical interest, or simply enjoy its seasonal displays of berries, this plant delivers consistent beauty and performance. Arriving rooted in a 3-inch container and standing approximately 6 inches tall, it’s ready to be planted and establish itself in your garden, promising years of enjoyment.

Key Benefits

The dragon lady holly live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a superb choice for various garden designs and homeowner preferences. Its unique characteristics contribute significantly to its appeal and functionality:

• Exceptional Year-Round Appeal: Unlike deciduous plants, the Dragon Lady Holly maintains its lush, dark green foliage throughout the entire year, providing continuous beauty and structure in your garden even during the colder months.
• Vibrant Winter Interest: In autumn, this holly produces an abundance of brilliant scarlet berries that persist through winter, offering a spectacular splash of color against the evergreen leaves and attracting birds.
• Unique Upright Growth Habit: Its distinctive narrow, pyramidal form makes it an excellent choice for vertical accents, screens, or hedges in spaces where a compact, columnar shape is desired. This makes the ilex meschick a standout.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the upright evergreen shrub is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape and thriving with basic care.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Suited for USDA Zones 6-8, it demonstrates good resilience to various environmental conditions, making it a reliable performer in many climates.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Perfect for formal gardens, foundation plantings, privacy screens, or as a striking specimen plant. Its adaptability allows for creative integration into diverse landscape designs.
• Wildlife Attraction: The bright berries not only add visual interest but also serve as a food source for birds during the colder seasons, contributing to local biodiversity.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your dragon lady holly live plant is straightforward, ensuring its healthy growth and vibrant appearance. This robust upright evergreen shrub thrives with proper attention to its environmental needs. For optimal growth, plant it in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) will encourage the densest foliage and the most abundant berry production, while partial shade (4-6 hours of sunlight, especially in the afternoon) is tolerable, particularly in hotter climates, but may result in slightly less dense growth. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as hollies do not tolerate consistently wet feet. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal, but they are quite adaptable.

Water your dragon lady holly live plant regularly during its first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but will benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells, especially if planted in full sun. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer, following the product’s instructions. Pruning is generally minimal; light shaping can be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to maintain its desired pyramidal form. Watch for common pests like scale insects or spider mites, and treat promptly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if necessary. The ilex meschick is generally disease-resistant, making it a resilient choice for your garden.

Size & Details

This offering includes one dragon lady holly live plant, meticulously rooted and cultivated for healthy growth. Each plant is approximately 6 inches in height when shipped and comes securely planted in a 3-inch container, providing a well-established root system ready for transplanting. At maturity, the Dragon Lady Holly typically reaches an impressive height of 10 to 20 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet, forming its characteristic upright, narrow pyramidal shape. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing it to reach its mature size over several years, providing continuous enjoyment and landscape impact. This holly plant for sale will arrive with planting instructions to guide you through the successful establishment of your new evergreen, ensuring it thrives in its new home.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The dragon lady holly live plant typically grows to a mature height of 10-20 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet, forming a distinctive narrow, upright pyramidal shape.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This holly plant for sale is shipped rooted in a 3-inch container, and the plant itself is approximately 6 inches tall at the time of purchase, ready for transplanting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Dragon Lady Holly is an outdoor plant, best suited for garden and landscape use in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-8. It is not recommended for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This upright evergreen shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade. For the best growth and berry production, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the dragon lady holly live plant is considered relatively low-maintenance. It requires well-draining soil, regular watering during establishment, and minimal pruning.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your ilex meschick will arrive healthy and well-rooted in its 3-inch container, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey to your home.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your Dragon Lady Holly is in spring or early fall, allowing it ample time to establish its root system before extreme weather conditions.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Dragon Lady Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 6-8. If you are within these zones, it should successfully overwinter with proper care and establishment.
• Q: What are the berries like? A: The plant produces bright scarlet fruits in the fall that remain on the plant through winter, providing excellent seasonal interest and a food source for birds.
• Q: Does this plant attract wildlife? A: Yes, the scarlet berries of the dragon lady holly live plant are attractive to birds, making it a great addition for supporting local wildlife.