Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) – Deciduous Holly with Vibrant Red Berries

Add a striking pop of color to your landscape with Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata), a deciduous holly renowned for its brilliant red berries that persist through fall and winter. This cold-hardy shrub provides seasonal interest and attracts wildlife, making it a perfect choice for naturalized plantings, hedges, and ornamental gardens.

Key Features:

• Brilliant Red Berries – Female plants produce clusters of bright red berries that remain throughout winter, providing stunning visual appeal.
• Seasonal Beauty – Lush green foliage turns golden-yellow in fall before shedding leaves to highlight the berries.
• Wildlife Friendly – Berries attract birds, while dense branching offers shelter for small wildlife.
• Versatile Landscaping Use – Ideal for hedges, woodland gardens, wetland plantings, and decorative accents.
• Cold-Hardy & Adaptable – Thrives in various soil types, including moist and wet conditions.

Product Details:

• Botanical Name: Ilex verticillata
• Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
• Mature Height: 3–12 feet
• Mature Width: 3–10 feet
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil; tolerates wet conditions
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Pollination: Requires a male pollinator (such as ‘Jim Dandy’ or ‘Southern Gentleman’) for berry production

Planting Instructions:

• Seed Preparation: Cold stratify seeds for 90–120 days before planting.
• Sowing: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil; space shrubs 3–6 feet apart.
• Germination: Keep soil consistently moist; germination may take 6–24 months.
• Transplanting: Once seedlings develop strong roots, move them to their permanent location.

Care & Maintenance:

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially in dry periods; tolerates wet soils well.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove dead branches.
• Fertilizing: Apply an acidic, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• General Care: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With its eye-catching berries, wildlife appeal, and adaptability, Winterberry Holly is a must-have for seasonal landscapes, wetland gardens, and decorative winter displays.