Ilex meserveae Gentle Anny's Dwarf

Compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub with refined, glossy dark blue-green foliage. Ilex meserveae 'Gentle Anny's Dwarf' (also known as 'Gentle') is a polite, non-prickly blue holly with a naturally neat and rounded habit. The deep green leaves take on a dramatic purple-bronze flush during the winter months, offering exceptional seasonal colour. Small but abundant white flowers appear in spring, and as a male variety, it serves as an excellent pollinator for berry-bearing female hollies. Its diminutive size and manageable growth make it a perfect choice for low hedging, patio containers, or adding year-round structure to smaller garden borders. It is remarkably hardy and thrives in various aspects, provided it is not sitting in waterlogged soil.

Site: Tolerates exposed including some coastal exposure
Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil; prefers neutral to slightly acidic ground
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Season of Interest: Evergreen
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 2.5ft (75cm) Spread: 1.5ft (50cm)
Hedge Spacings: 20-25cm (8-10inches) apart for a  standard hedge.