Ilex plant--Mesan variety

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Ilex×meserveae which originated as a cross-pollination of Ilex aquifolium and Ilex rugosa is provided. The new variety possesses very attractive, glossy, deep green foliage, produces an abundance of staminate flowers, and exhibits a vigorous growth characteristic and good tolerance to cold.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of Ilex×meserveae, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by the unique combination of: (a) a well branched and upright habit of growth which is more vigorous than that of Blue Prince variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,517) and which is much more vigorous and more upright than Blue Boy variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,435),   (b) a more compact and shrub-like habit of growth than Ilex aquifolium,   (c) an abundance of staminate flowers which appear in spring, and, in lesser quantities, throughout the entire growing season and which produce the pollen necessary for fertilizing the pistilate flowers of other varieties of Ilex×meserveae and other forms of Ilex,   (d) the ability to be sheared and trimmed to be kept within prescribed limits or shaped to a particular shape or form,   (e) cold tolerance which is superior to its aquifolium parent,   (f) deep, slightly glaucous, green foliage which is longer and wider than that of Blue Prince variety and considerably longer and wider than that of Blue Boy variety,   (g) less prominent spines than Blue Prince variety or Blue Boy variety, which, combined with the vigorous upright habit of growth, make the present variety especially well suited for use as snag-free hedging by walkways and other places where there is considerable traffic, and,   (h) growth characteristics which make it superior in field production from a cultural standpoint to other male Ilex×meserveae.