Dave in NoVA.... thanks for that exellent information!

I didn't even think of the random characteristics I would get from the seedlings. And didn't realize that happens because of a hybrid parent plant...I knew Rose of Sharon did this but never considered a Blue Holly would do the same, as I was only focused on flower color for the Rose of Sharon seedlings.

I'm also pleased to learn frrom you that Blue Hollies come from Ilex aquifolium and Ilex rugosa....I just googled those two plants to see what they look like.

Do you think the seedlings might even become one or the other of these two parent plants, or still become a Blue Holly of some sort??? and would I be correct to assume the seedlings might grow into a tall pyramidal shape of Ilex aquifolium, or low like the Ilex rugosa.?? Is this how random the seedlings may be?

Thanks!!!

PS...I copied and pasted something I had found online- is this misinformation ? What do you make of this? Maybe you should contact them.

How to Grow Blue Princess Holly From Seed

Seed propagation is not recommended because it is an extremely long process. Planted seeds take more than a year to germinate and sprout, so it is rarely done outside the commercial trade. -source: https://www.thespruce.com/blue-princess-holly-2132070

(if The Spruce is wrong they should be corrected.)

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The article is true that holly seeds can take a VERY long time to germinate. Sometimes more than two or even three years! They often require multiple winters for the hard seed coat to break down.

Regarding what your seedlings will look like. Only time will tell. Most likely they will never look just like one or the other parent, but rather will share characteristics of both in uneven quantities. It will still be called a Blue Holly, unless for some reason there was another male species that was blooming at the same time. But to me, your seedlings look similar to most blue hollies. They should also have excellent hardiness.

I have a mature 'Castle Spire' holly (one the Blue hollies) near the corner of my house. I am finding numerous seedlings underneath it. I have grown up a number of them and am amazed at the diversity of leaf shapes, vigor and plant form/shape that these seedlings express. See pic below of one of the seedlings that has incredibly small leaves.

I would imagine yours could eventually take on a pyramidal form. If not, they should be easy to shear to that form. But I would expect forms also to be intermediate between the those of the two species. I'm not sure I've ever seen a pure Ilex rugosa, so don't know what form that species is. Maybe it's more low and spreading?

All the best!

The Spruce is not a source I have much confidence in. The title of the article is misleading. You cannot grow Blue Princess from seed because it is a hybrid. You can grow its seed but the seedlings, even if they look similar, will not be clones of BP.

Dave in NoVA

Wow!!!!!!!It looks like you have a new type of Blue Holly! Iisn't this the kind of thing everyone hopes for? I think it's amazing and has desirable and unusual traits in a Blue Holly. Seems like you should contact someone to share this new plant! I found a link that might direct you in that direction:

https://www.totallandscapecare.com/design-build/article/15039797/9-tips-to-begin-the-process-of-naming-a-new-cultivar

floraluk2

I agree with you about not having much confidence in The Spruce, but it's decent that they accept corrections and supply a contact email for misinformation. I think it's always a good idea to cross reference information.

PS..also for Dave in NoVA...a photo of Ilex rugosa I found online. It has the narrow leaves of your unusual holly seeding- but you have more spikes on edges of leaves and yours is blue and seems more vertical than horizontal!

photo source & more info: https://en.hortipedia.com/Ilex_rugosa

Sue Hughes, well, what you have are also all new hybrids of blue holly. So once yours grow up, you may see some very attractive traits in them.

The thin-leafed hybrid I have is probably too slow growing for anyone to be interested in.

Dave it was very educational talking with you, and thanks for sharing all of your experience and photos of your holly seedlings!