We're offering you a A Pair of Holly Blue Maid Standard Trees for £29.99, saving you up to 33% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £44.99 (correct as of 10.11.2025).

Add Classic Winter Beauty to Your Garden

The Holly Blue Maid (Ilex aquifolium 'Blue Maid') is a time-honoured festive favourite, prized for its glossy, deep green, spiny leaves and prolific clusters of vibrant red berries. As a female holly variety, it reliably produces berries each autumn and winter—perfect for creating wreaths, garlands, or simply adding cheerful colour to your outdoor space.

• Botanical Name: Ilex aquifolium 'Blue Maid'
• Type: Evergreen standard tree
• Mature Height: Up to 8m (26ft)
• Mature Spread: Up to 3m (9ft)
• Berries: Abundant red berries from late autumn through winter (requires nearby male holly for best berry set)

Why Choose Holly Blue Maid?

• Seasonal Interest: Retains dense foliage and vivid berries throughout the coldest months—ideal for Christmas displays.
• Wildlife Benefits: Berries provide essential winter food for birds; dense growth offers shelter year-round.
• Tough & Adaptable: Thrives in exposed sites, tolerates wind and cold, and suits most UK garden soils.
• Screening & Privacy: Naturally upright habit makes an effective windbreak or living screen.

Growing Guide & Care Tips

• Planting Time: Best planted from autumn to spring while soil is moist but not frozen.
• Sun/Shade: Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
• Soil Preference: Prefers moist but well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of pH levels from slightly acidic to neutral.
• Caring For Your Holly: Water regularly during the first season; mulch annually in spring. Prune lightly after berrying if needed to maintain shape.
• Pots & Borders: Supplied as a pair in 2-litre pots—ready for planting directly into borders or larger decorative containers.

Ilex aquifolium 'Blue Maid' at a Glance

• Dense evergreen foliage offers structure all year long.
• Berries brighten up gardens and support local wildlife.
• No special fertiliser required; feed with general-purpose fertiliser in spring if desired.
• Ceramic pots and gift wrapping not supplied.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant my holly trees?
  The ideal planting time is from autumn through early spring when the ground is workable and moist.
• How fast do these holly trees grow?
  Ilex aquifolium 'Blue Maid' grows slowly to moderately, typically adding 15–30cm (6–12in) per year under good conditions.
• Do I need a male holly nearby for berries?
  A nearby male holly will maximise berry production on your female Blue Maid trees. If there are other hollies in your neighbourhood, pollination usually occurs naturally.