Mertensia virginica en masse. — Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Fruit (drupes) persisting from previous season among the new growth of Ilex verticillata (winterberry) 'Red Sprite' in April.

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) 'Red Sprite' flowers in June.

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) 'Red Sprite' fruit detail in September. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-09-18, Meadowlark Botanical Garden.

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite in October'

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' (winterberry) in December at the Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.Brillant red drupes provide food for birds in winter.

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) 'Sparkleberry' fruit detail in October. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2018-10-10, Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) 'Winter Gold' fruit. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2018-10-15, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.

Ilex verticillata (winterberry) leaves and fruit

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This native* deciduous holly produces prodigious quantities of plump, red, berry-like fruit (called drupes), which decorate the plant from mid-fall into early spring. ‘Red Sprite,’ a female dwarf cultivar, needs the services of the male ‘Jim Dandy’ to make fruit. Purchase at least two females and one male for a “berry” good show. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Shrub Flowers, ‘Red Sprite’ Fruit, Fall/Winter Shrubs Height: 6–12 feet (‘Red Sprite’ 21⁄2–3 feet and ‘Jim Dandy’ 3–6 feet with similar spread) Spread: 3–12 feet Bloom Color: Greenish-white Characteristics Deciduous shrub with rounded crown, upright habit Dioecious: separate male and female plants Quilted green foliage Greenish-white flowers in June and July Brilliant red drupes mature late August to Sep- tember; male plant needed for females to bear fruit Attributes Tolerates clay soil, wet soil, shade, air pollution; averse to neutral to basic soil; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom to occasionally severely damage Twiggy winter silhouette with persisting drupes Drupes are poisonous to humans Provides cover and food for mammals and 48 bird species including northern mockingbird (pictured) Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-drained acidic Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Eleagnus umbellata - Autumn Olive Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Lonicera species - Bush Honeysuckles Plant 1 male for up to 10 females (same species with same bloom time) within 40 feet of each other Rhamnus cathartica & R. frangula - European (or Common) & Glossy (or Shining) Buckthorns Prune in early spring before new growth appears Rubus phoenicolasius - Wineberry Use as hedge, in rain garden, or to control erosion Viburnum dilatatum - Linden Viburnum Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 *It is frequent to common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Judy Funderburk (fruit), Mary Free (bird), and Elaine Mills, Glencarlyn Garden and (shrubs) Bon Air Park

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

This native* deciduous holly produces prodigious quantities of plump, red, berry-like fruit (called drupes), which decorate the plant from mid-fall into early spring. ‘Red Sprite,’ a female dwarf cultivar, needs the services of the male ‘Jim Dandy’ to make fruit. Purchase at least two females and one male for a “berry” good show.

*It is frequent to common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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