Ilex Blue Angel

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ

Hello, first time posting so I'm hoping it's in the right category.

I bought a small blue angel Holly this summer which has neither flowered nor berried. I'm not too worried, it's still a small bush.

But will I need a male bush to get berries and does it need to be the same variety?

Many thanks for any help. 

Silver surfer

Too young to get flower this year .

Full name is Ilex x meserveae Blue angel.....it is a female holly so should get berries.
To ensure good pollination I would plant a male in the same area.
.....Ilex x meserveae Blue Prince.

Both can be kept small by pruning if you do not have much space.

https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ilex-meserveae-blue-angel-potted-holly

https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/s10644-ilex-blue-prince-holly?fee=7&fep=12890&gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyIbd1ZP9MDO2-sMU-FRYsn8dNZOtoyOsz4Q4haZck3slxT3R0of5rxoCev8QAvD_BwE

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ

Thank you for the response. I figured it was just too soon. I hadn't seen it flower so wasn't hopeful on berries this year. 

I'm gutted it needs to be the same variety. I hoped they weren't too fussy!!! But knowledge is power and all that jazz.

I'm going to let it romp away for a good few years, as it's main purpose is to provide some shelter for birds and protection from cats. And all year interest as a glorious bush. But anything that might help the prolific feline population from using the front garden as a loo whilst torturing the dog, is a bonus I don't overlook. 

Paul B3

My own shrub of this variety is around 6' x 4' and is currently in full fruit ; I really can't imagine any of my immediate neighbours having either of the above mentioned in their gardens .

However , there are numerous native Ilex around in differing properties in the area ; maybe these could be the pollinators of mine ?

Dovefromabove

Yes,  it doesn’t need to be any particular variety of Holly to pollinate a female type, just as long as it is one which bears male flowers. The common native type will do the job just fine. 

I suspect @Silver surfer suggested Blue Prince because it has similar foliage and would make a matching pair. 

pamelahdenbyBosguBEQ

Thanks guys that's really helpful. I might try a variegated male holly then and see what happens. If I have no luck next year then I'll reconsider and get a blue man holly! 

Silver surfer

Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen' .... in spite of the name is actually a male holly.

https://www.google.com/search?q="Ilex+aquifolium+'Silver+Queen'&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjkxrDFqoXtAhUUmVwKHSmeAk8Q_AUoAXoECAgQAw&biw=1280&bih=579

JennyJ

Silver Queen is lovely, and the bees go mad for its flowers. I had to cut mine down in August because the main trunk was leaning over the fence line and our new neighbours wanted to put in a 6ft fence (it's the back garden, so fair enough). We left about a 2 foot stump (about 4" diameter) and it's now sprouting new growth all around I'm planning to try and keep it reasonably compact, but we'll see how it goes.