China Girl Holly

About this plant

Ilex x meserveae 'China Girl' is a captivating evergreen holly known for its lustrous, deep green leaves and a profusion of bright red berries that persist through winter, providing vibrant color when most of the landscape is dormant. This female cultivar is an excellent choice for creating a living screen, a striking specimen plant, or as part of a mixed border, offering both aesthetic appeal and winter foraging for local wildlife. To ensure a spectacular berry display, plant 'China Girl' with a male pollinator like 'Blue Prince' or 'Blue Boy' holly. Its dense habit and elegant form make it a versatile plant for both formal and informal garden designs, adding structure and beauty to any landscape. This holly is a true garden workhorse, providing reliable performance and stunning visual impact for years to come.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers full sun to part shade and acidic soil. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove any dead or crossing branches. Minimal pest or disease issues.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.