My blue holly (I. x meserveae), a variety called China Boy, is growing into a handsome shrub.

The hybrid blue hollies can be grown in all those places and even in sheltered spots in the Rocky Mountain states.

Northerners who want evergreen hollies should select the hardiest varieties of American and blue hollies.

Many nurseries and landscape companies carry only a modest selection of hollies, mostly the blue hollies, which tend to be smaller in stature.

The results were blue hollies, hybrids with exceptionally dark blue-green, spine-tipped foliage and excellent hardiness.

The blue hollies (Ilex x meserveae), developed on Long Island by Kathleen Meserve, are cold-hardy to minus 15 degrees.

Other evergreens are also gaining favor, especially the blue hollies.

The so-called blue hollies (Ilex meserveae) are not really blue at all, but the glossy, dark green foliage is so shiny it reflects light, adding brightness to more light-absorbing evergreens.

Usually the plants selected are the so-called blue hollies, named for the slightly blue cast of the evergreen foliage.

The toughest hollies for this region are "blue" hollies (named for a subtle color in the leaves) and developed by Mrs. Kathleen Meserve.