Castle Spire® Blue Holly

Castle Spire® Blue Holly is the trade name for ‘Hachfee’, a female cultivar of Ilex × meserveae. The Canadian variety record lists ‘Hachfee’ as the denomination and Castle Spire as its trade name, and describes an upright, pyramidal evergreen shrub with glossy, spiny foliage and red berries. [Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Hachfee](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/hol/app00004534e.shtml) The U.S. plant patent identifies the cultivar as ‘Hachfee’ and records its upright pyramidal habit, glossy foliage, and red fruit. [U.S. plant patent PP14,310](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP14310) The Royal Horticultural Society reports a mature height of 1.5–2.5 m and spread of 1–1.5 m, while the patent describes 3.5 m height after 15 years and a width of 1 m, so published mature-size estimates differ. RHS describes small white to pinkish-white flowers in late spring and says the red berries follow when a nearby male plant pollinates the female flowers. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/213175/ilex-%C3%97-meserveae-hachfee/details) Grow in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil; RHS lists chalk, clay, loam, and sand. The narrow pyramidal form suits hedges and screens. The berries are ornamental and not for eating; wear gloves when handling. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/213175/ilex-%C3%97-meserveae-hachfee/details) [CFIA variety record](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/hol/app00004534e.shtml) ## Maintenance RHS recommends trimming hedges in early spring. Prune individual plants only as needed to retain the natural upright form, and use gloves when handling the spiny foliage. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/213175/ilex-%C3%97-meserveae-hachfee/details)