ILEX VERTICILLATA / WINTERBERRY HOLLY

ILEX VERTICILLATA / WINTERBERRY

A Native Shrub with Brilliant Winter Berries

Ilex verticillata, commonly known as Winterberry, is a native deciduous shrub prized for its spectacular display of bright red berries that persist into winter after the leaves have dropped. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist to wet soils, Winterberry adds outstanding seasonal interest, wildlife value, and ornamental appeal to shrub borders, rain gardens, and naturalized landscapes. A male pollinator plant is required for berry production on female plants.

Why Choose Winterberry?

Outstanding Winter Interest: Bright red berries provide vivid color through fall and winter.
Wildlife Friendly: Berries are an important food source for birds in winter.
Native & Adaptable: Thrives in a range of soils, including moist and wet conditions.
Ornamental & Seasonal: Attractive foliage in summer and striking berry display in winter.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green leaves turning yellow in fall.
Berry Color: Bright red berries on female plants in fall and winter.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 6–12 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist to wet soils; tolerates clay, loam, and acidic conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 6–12 feet tall, 6–10 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9.
Flowering & Fruiting: Small, inconspicuous spring flowers followed by heavy berry production on female plants.
Winter Interest: Showy red berries persist into winter after leaf drop.

Ideal Uses:

Winter Interest Plantings: Essential for adding color to winter landscapes.
Rain Gardens & Wet Areas: Performs well in moist soils and low-lying areas.
Wildlife Gardens: Provides critical winter food for birds.
Shrub Borders & Naturalized Landscapes: Adds structure, seasonal interest, and native value.

Winterberry is an exceptional and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its brilliant winter berries, wildlife benefits, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for four-season landscapes, rain gardens, and naturalized plantings.