Meserve Holly (Ilex 'Casanova')

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ilex
Featured
Soil pH Preferences
Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0), Neutral (6.6 – 7.3), Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Sun Requirements
Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade
Toxicity
Fruit is poisonous
Uses
Provides winter interest
Wildlife Attractant
Bees, Other Beneficial Insects
Bloom Size
Under 1"
Flower Color
White
Flower Time
Late spring or early summer
Flowers
Inconspicuous
Leaves
Evergreen, Variegated
Life cycle
Perennial
Minimum cold hardiness
Zone 5b -26.1 °C (-15 °F) to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
Miscellaneous
Dioecious
Plant Habit
Shrub
Plant Height
6--8 feet
Plant Spread
4-6 feet
Propagation: Other methods
Cuttings: Tip
Detailed Information

While ‘Casanova’ is a specific cultivar of Meserve Holly, Meserve Hollies in general are hybrids bred to be cold hardy. They are **not** native to any particular geographical location.

Here’s a breakdown:

* **Meserve Hollies (Ilex × meserveae)** are hybrids created in cultivation. They are a cross between *Ilex aquifolium* (English Holly, native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia) and *Ilex rugosa* (native to Japan).
* **Therefore, the “native region” is essentially a nursery or breeding program.** They were developed to combine the attractive appearance of English Holly with the cold hardiness of Ilex rugosa.
* The primary goal of the breeding program was to create a hardy holly that could withstand colder climates than typical English hollies. They are now commonly grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-7.

So, you won’t find Meserve Hollies growing wild in a specific native region. Their origin is in horticultural breeding, aiming for cold hardiness for gardens in temperate zones.