shaped Meserve Holly in Container

22 years ago

I normally hang out in the rose end of the garden web forums, but I have a question I think you good folks can help me with.

I finished putting an old recycled brick path in my garden this summer and now I have a 3'x3' pad at the end of my path that I would like to put some sort of focal point on. My garden has lots of shrub roses and perennials in it and I have been wanting to incorporate some plants for year-round enjoyment. I think a fruiting holly that I can keep in a container at about the 6' height (not including the container) in a conical shape would be great expecially during the holidays. Hence, my questions:

I understand that Meserve hollies are the most cold tolerant type. Could you recommend one variety that would be best for my use. Do you think that these hollies can withstand being in a container in zone 6b? I would use one of those 2 layer plastic containers that I manuver...the decorative ones. I could probably also insulate the container when winter hit if I need to. Also, I understand that I would have to plant a male meserve holly in order to get fruit. I can do that somewhere else w/in my yard.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Deborah

Comments (2)

nandina
22 years ago
Denae,
Any of the female Meserve Hollies would do the job for you. I would not worry about the name so much as the shape of the plant you purchase. It should have a straight trunk and even branching. I have grown them in large pots with no problem in zone 6b. Insulating the pot would naturally be good insurance. The male pollinator should be planted in exactly the same light conditions as the female so that both bloom at the same time for good pollination. You may also keep the male pruned down to save space in the garden, if you wish.

FYI....I have found that a good large pot insulator is easy to make. Just quickly stitch up a quilt to fit around the pot of regular poly quilt batting between two pieces of black landscape fabric. (This should feed through your sewing machine with no trouble.) Run some of the sticky backed velcro down each edge and secure the quilt around the pot. At Christmas I have tied a big red ribbon and bow around the pot for decoration. It is quite attractive.
Denae4
Original Author
22 years ago
Nandina,
What great tips! I would not have thought about putting the male and female in the same light, but makes sense now that you point that out. Also, thanks for the insulation instructions....I wasn't sure how I was going to make it look attractive.
Deborah
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