Ilex verticillata

Ilex verticillata is called the winterberry because the female plants produce dense clusters of bright red fruit that persist well into the winter. These highly visible berries remain on the bare stems long after the leaves have dropped in the autumn. They provide a striking pop of color in snowy landscapes.

Yes, Ilex verticillata is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either strictly male or strictly female. To get the iconic red winter berries on a female plant, you must plant a compatible male cultivar nearby for pollination. One male plant is typically enough to pollinate several female plants in a garden.

Unlike many standard hollies, the winterberry thrives in wet, acidic soils and can easily tolerate occasional flooding. It is naturally found in swamps, bogs, and damp woodlands across eastern North America. It is an ideal shrub for planting in poorly drained areas where other shrubs might fail.

No, Ilex verticillata is a deciduous holly, which differentiates it from the classic, prickly evergreen hollies used in Christmas decorations. It loses its leaves entirely during the autumn season. This lack of winter foliage actually enhances the visual impact of the bright red berries.