Ilex 'Mesog' CHINA GIRL Common Name: Holly Zone: 5 to 9 Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen Family: Aquifoliaceae Missouri Native: No Native Range: None Height: 7 to 10 feet Spread: 5 to 8 feet Bloom Time: April - May Bloom Data Bloom Color: White Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium moisture Maintenance: Low Easily grown in average, medium wet soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to both light and heavy soils, but prefers moist, acidic, organic soils with good drainage. A dioecious shrub: CHINA GIRL is a female plant and CHINA BOY (D480) is a companion male plant. Usually plant mostly CHINA GIRL because only females produce the attractive red berries which are so conspicuous in fall and winter. A planting needs at least one CHINA BOY within 400' as a pollinator for up to 9-10 CHINA GIRL plants. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth begins. Good winter hardiness. This hybrid holly is an upright, rounded, dense, evergreen shrub which matures over many years to 7-10' tall by 5-8' wide. Often seen growing much shorter, however. Obovate, glossy, dark green leaves have spiny-toothed margins. Tiny, whitish flowers appear in spring and are relatively inconspicuous.