Images Depict Mature Plants
Dragon Lady Holly
Ilex x aquipernyi "Meschick"
Dragon Lady Holly is a dense, upright evergreen with glossy, dark green foliage and vibrant red berries, providing year-round visual interest and seasonal color. Ideal for privacy screens, hedges, or as a striking accent plant, Dragon Lady Holly adds both elegance and structure to any garden while being deer-resistant.
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Dragon Lady Holly Trees for Sale Online
Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex x aquipernyi 'Meschick') is a stunning, upright evergreen shrub known for its striking, dense, pyramidal form and glossy, dark green foliage. This holly variety is perfect for adding structure and height to the garden, as it grows in a narrow, columnar shape that makes it an excellent choice for hedges, screens, or as an accent plant. In the fall, Dragon Lady Holly produces an abundance of bright red berries, adding a burst of color to the landscape and attracting birds to your garden. Reaching a mature height of 10 to 20 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet, this holly provides a stately, elegant presence year-round.
Dragon Lady Holly thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. This versatile shrub is deer-resistant, making it ideal for gardens where browsing is a concern, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. Dragon Lady Holly is an excellent choice for creating a living privacy screen, as its dense, evergreen foliage provides year-round coverage and wind protection. It also makes a striking focal point when planted singly, with its symmetrical, upright growth habit adding vertical interest to mixed borders or foundation plantings.
For optimal berry production, Dragon Lady Holly should be paired with a compatible male pollinator, such as Blue Prince Holly, as it is a female variety. The vibrant red berries stand out against the dark green leaves, offering a festive appearance during the fall and winter months, perfect for seasonal décor. Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and maintain soil acidity, ensuring that your Dragon Lady Holly remains healthy and lush. With its graceful form, bright berries, and year-round beauty, Dragon Lady Holly is an excellent addition to any landscape, adding both visual interest and functional benefits.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 15 to 20 feet |
| Mature Width: | 4 to 6 feet |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun to part shade |
| Foliage Color: | Dark Green |
| Growth Form: | Upright pyramidal |
| Soil: | Very tolerant of most soil conditions |
How to Care for Dragon Lady Holly
Be sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep your Dragon Lady Holly happy and Healthy for Many Years
How Do I Plant A Dragon Lady Holly Tree?
Planting a Dragon Lady Holly tree starts with choosing an ideal location to support its growth and distinctive appearance. Select a site that offers full sun to partial shade, as Dragon Lady Holly thrives in areas with ample sunlight but can tolerate some shade. The soil should be well-drained and slightly acidic, as this holly variety prefers such conditions for healthy root development. Begin by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball to give the roots plenty of room to spread. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above ground level. Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic compost, then water thoroughly to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Mulching around the base with a 2-3 inch layer of organic material helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. After planting your Dragon Lady Holly tree, proper care is crucial to establish a healthy root system. Water deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, depending on the weather and soil conditions, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Spacing is also important—if planting multiple trees for a hedge or privacy screen, space them 4 to 6 feet apart to allow enough room for their mature width. Once established, Dragon Lady Holly requires minimal maintenance, but applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring can help encourage vigorous growth and berry production. With proper planting and early care, your Dragon Lady Holly will grow into a stately, upright evergreen, providing year-round beauty and seasonal interest in your landscape.
How Do I water A Dragon Lady Holly Tree?
Watering a Dragon Lady Holly tree properly is essential for establishing a strong root system and ensuring healthy growth. During the first growing season, water deeply and consistently, about once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward, improving drought tolerance over time. Make sure to water at the base of the tree, saturating the root zone without waterlogging, as Dragon Lady Holly prefers well-drained soil. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system is an effective way to deliver water slowly and directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and ensuring the soil stays evenly moist. Once Dragon Lady Holly is established, it becomes more drought-tolerant, but supplemental watering is still important during extended dry spells, particularly in hot summer months. Check the top few inches of soil; if it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. Mulching around the base of the tree with a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark or pine needles, helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition. Be careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent root rot. Consistent and deep watering, especially during the growing season, will help your Dragon Lady Holly maintain its glossy green foliage, promote healthy berry production, and ensure the tree remains vibrant and lush year-round.
How Do I Fertilize A Dragon Lady Holly Tree?
Fertilizing a Dragon Lady Holly tree is crucial to support its healthy growth, glossy foliage, and vibrant berry production. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, just before new growth begins. Use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer specifically designed for acid-loving plants, such as a 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 blend, to provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the root zone, extending to the drip line of the tree but keeping it at least 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent root burn. After applying the fertilizer, water thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots, promoting healthy and consistent growth throughout the growing season. To maintain the health and beauty of your Dragon Lady Holly, consider applying a second light feeding in mid-summer if the tree shows signs of slow growth or if the soil is nutrient-poor. Organic soil amendments like compost or well-aged manure can also be added annually to enrich the soil and improve its structure, providing ongoing nourishment. Mulching around the base of the tree with organic material helps to conserve moisture, maintain soil acidity, and gradually release nutrients as the mulch decomposes. Avoid fertilizing late in the growing season, as this can encourage tender new growth that may not harden properly before winter, making it susceptible to cold damage. With the right fertilization routine, your Dragon Lady Holly will grow strong, lush, and produce an abundance of bright red berries that add visual interest to your landscape year-round.
How do I prune A Dragon Lady Holly Tree?
Pruning a Dragon Lady Holly tree is essential to maintain its distinctive, pyramidal form and promote healthy growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, which helps reduce stress on the tree and encourages vigorous regrowth. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, cutting them back to healthy wood to enhance the overall health of the tree and reduce the risk of pests or diseases. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to ensure precise cuts. Since Dragon Lady Holly has a naturally symmetrical, upright shape, only light pruning is needed to keep it looking tidy. Focus on removing any branches that are crossing or rubbing, as this can lead to damage and affect the tree's structure. If you want to shape Dragon Lady Holly or control its size, lightly trim back the tips of the branches after the spring growth flush. Avoid cutting too deeply into older wood, as holly trees do not regenerate well from old growth. Pruning the tips will help maintain a dense, compact form and encourage additional berry production, especially if the tree is used as part of a hedge or privacy screen. Be cautious not to prune heavily in late summer or fall, as this can stimulate new growth that may not have time to harden off before winter, leaving it vulnerable to cold damage. Regular, gentle pruning will keep your Dragon Lady Holly healthy, vigorous, and filled with glossy foliage and bright red berries, ensuring it remains a stunning feature in your landscape throughout the year.
