Winterberry holly is a great native plant for our late fall and winter gardens. When most other plants become less interesting this plant becomes striking! The berries develop in fall and when the leaves are lost (this native is deciduous) the plant becomes breathtaking. It is also gorgeous when the berries display snow. There’s nothing like sipping a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa and looking out the window at a white landscape and bright red berries on the winterberry shrub. If you are a gardener you know times can be a little sad in the winter and it can feel like a lifetime waiting for the spring green to reawaken. Why not plant a row of winterberries to help you through?

The latin name for these plants is Ilex verticillata and there are many varieties. Some of my favorites are ‘Red Sprite’, ‘Berry Nice’ and ‘Berry Heavy’. You will need to plant a male winterberry shrub for berry production or to increase berry production for some varieties. ‘Jim Dandy’ is a male winterberry that pollinates the above varieties. Winterberry can tolerate moist soils and likes acidic woodland areas. It can tolerate part shade to full sun. Some varieties set more berries in full sun like the ‘Sparkleberry’ winterberry.

Winterberries attract birds, are native, are deer resistant and can be used in holiday decorations and wreath making. They are slow growing and will be around 6-10ft tall and wide, depending on variety. It’s not too late to plant a winterberry holly in your gardens!