Ilex x meserveae ‘Mesog’

China Girl Holly, Meserve holly, blue holly

Description: evergreen shrub

Place of origin: Europe and Japan

Urban habitat: cultivated as an ornamental shrub; tolerates air pollution.

Ecological function: heat reduction in paved areas; food and habitat for wildlife.

History: A hybrid of a cold hardy, Japanese spreading Holly and a European tree holly produced by Mrs. Leighton Meserve of New York. Its berries are toxic to humans but are a valuable food source to birds.