Plant of the Month
Plant of the Month
Winterberry Holly
The Winterberry Holly is this month’s plant of the month. Ilex verticillata is a deciduous shrub that reaches 3’-15’ in height and 3’-10’ wide. Perhaps the most desired feature of the Winterberry Holly is the red berries that persist well into winter. The berries attract birds, while being deer resistant, as well as provide a unique winter interest when most other deciduous plants are bare and twiggy. Winterberry Holly berries and branches are also used in a variety of holiday decorating techniques.
Winterberry Holly is considered to be a hardy shrub designated zones 3-9. It needs full sun to partial shade and prefers a more acidic soil, but tolerates most soils. Wet soil is preferred but soils that tend to be more dry haven’t seemed to pose much of a problem as far as we have seen on campus. Ilex verticillata has inconspicuous white flowers in the spring, with berries forming on the new growth. Keeping this in mind for pruning is recommended, but for the most part pruning is done to control size and spread of the shrub, as opposed to shaping it into geometrical forms as the normal habit of the plant is columnar.
Winterberry Holly leaves do have a reddish/yellowish fall color but often times can become blotchy. Winterberry Holly has male and female plants. It is advised for good berry production, to plant one male for every 3-5 females in close proximity. Overall, the Winterberry Holly is a wonderful shrub to spice up a bed for the winter, as well as a very adaptable plant for most locations.