Winterberry is one of the rare deciduous shrubs that provide good year-round interest in the garden. When planting it, make sure you are comfortable with inviting animals such as these into your landscape: The berry-laden branches of Ilex verticillata are prized by arts and crafts enthusiasts for use in such items as floral arrangements, winter window boxes, wreaths, and kissing balls. The one plant that draws my eye across a winter field is the bright red berries of the winterberry, Ilex verticillata, also known as Michigan holly. Follow a regular watering schedule the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Although it's tempting to try planting seeds produced by the plentiful berries, winterberry is more effectively propagated by snipping and rooting stem cuttings, which will grow much faster than seeds. And now … Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. It usually grows in damp areas like swamps, thickets and along rivers and ponds. Growing Meserve blue hollies isn’t difficult if you site the plants correctly. Problems: Winterberry is an easy-to-grow plant that has few serious insect or disease problems. Getting More Berries on Winterberry Q. Ken in Sellersville, PA (home of the esteemed Sellersville Theatre, where I recently saw the Harry James Orchestra) tersely writes: "could you please tell me the best time of year to prune my winterberry bushes?" Aside from the good looks and easygoing growth of our Winter Red Winterberry, you get proven performance, year over year. Generally, one male winterberry can pollenize up to ten female plants. Winterberry is very easy to grow. The branches are slender and grow quite thick in a zigzag pattern. It is hardy in zones 3 through 9. It usually grows in damp areas like swamps, thickets and along rivers and ponds. If you wish to grow a low mounding garden border or hedge, plant these 30-36 inches apart, center on center. Cover the entire pot with plastic to keep humidity in until the roots form. This easy to grow, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub has an upright, oval habit and will reach a height of 6-8’. When you want to know how to grow winterberry holly, remember that the shrub should be planted in acidic, moist soil in an area with some sun. Winterberry fruit may be … Not only do the bright berries add important color to winter landscapes, but they also lure in colorful birds that love to feed on the prolific red berries. Periodically water the cuttings and keep them in a shady outdoor location. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a slow-growing holly bush variety, native to North America. Through thoughtful selection and hours of hard work, our growing department is able to provide guests with a quality product that Winterberry Gardens is proud to stand behind. Here at Winterberry Gardens we are able to grow our own annuals and perennials for our garden center. A: Winterberry ( Ilex verticillata) is a moderate-sized deciduous shrub that is native to North America.Many species of birds enjoy the bright red berries, and it’s a great plant for water-logged soils; plus, it has very few insect or disease troubles. For winterberry holly information, including notes on how to grow winterberry holly, read on. 1. One male plant will pollinate about 20 female plants to produce fruit when planted within 40 feet of each other. It is the result of a cross between Ilex serrata and Ilex verticillata. Remove up to (but no more than) 1/3 of the branches each year. In response I asked Ken two questions. Winterberry; Previously known as: Ilex × attenuata; Phonetic Spelling EE-leks oh-PAY-kah This plant has low severity poison characteristics. It is noted for its dense, heavy fruiting of bright red berries, with good retention of the fruit throughout winter. Want an abundance of holiday cheer? Adaptable but prefers moist, acidic soils. 'Winter Red' is a late-blooming winterberry that produces female flowers in early summer and is best partnered with a correlating late-blooming male winterberry. If you are wondering how to grow Meserve holly, keep reading. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a deciduous holly shrub that is native to the eastern U.S., can be a great addition to the landscape, as it produces bright red berries that persist through the entire winter and into spring. Adaptable to wet soils, does well in light and heavy soils. Winterberry is a slow-growing shrub with a rounded upright growth habit. Winterberry usually doesn't require feeding unless growth is very slow. Buying from a nursery can also ensure that you get at least one male plant, necessary for pollination and production of berries. Generally, a single male shrub can pollinate 6 to 10 female shrubs. The berries contain a caffeine-like alkaloid called theobromine which, in large doses, can cause dizziness, elevated pulse, nausea, and diarrhea. Winterberry holly is a medium sized bush, growing no taller than 15 feet. Like all hollies, winterberry is mildly toxic to some animals and to people. It’s abundant in the wild and is most frequently found in swampy woodland and wetland areas, though winterberry bushes may also be purchased at garden centers and nurseries. Target the oldest branches, and prune them down to ground level. See below Description. It is normally planted in masses or groups for shrub borders, as foundation shrubs, in native woodland gardens, or in bird gardens. Winterberry care is also simple if you plant the bush in an appropriate area. how fast does winterberry ilex grow? For starters, our Apollo Winterberry adapts to your environment with ease. It grows best in full sun, although it tolerates partial shade. The bright red berries of Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ lend a festive touch to the winter garden. Growth habit: In wet sites, winterberry normally suckers to form a dense spreading thicket. Whether you grow winterberry holly for its beauty in your landscape or you enjoy bringing the holly and berry stems indoors for decorating displays, these shrubs perform reliably and energetically in most growing areas. However, if you have these spreading bushes in the backyard, you may wish to trim them into shape in spring before new growth appears. Size: As for its genetic variation, winterberry can range in heights from 3 feet to 15 feet. One male plant will pollinate up to 5 female plants; plant within 50' of one another to assure good pollination. In its native setting, it is often found as an understory plant in woodlands and forests. It gets its name from the Christmas-red berries that develop from fertilized flowers and stay on the bare bush stems much of the winter. Don't use this plant where children, dogs, or cats are likely to eat the berries. Winterberry holly prefers fairly wet conditions. Mr. Poppins® is a male plant that does not get fruit but will serve to pollinate female varieties such as 'Berry Poppins' to produce the attractive red berries. In nature, winterberry shrubs typically call wetland areas home, which makes them ideal for routinely wet or poorly drained areas of a home landscape (where little else will grow). As late as the 1800s, the term Ilex was applied both to a southern European evergreen oak (Quercus ilextoday) and to holly species, likely because the leaves were evergreen and similar in shape. Apply a slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. How to Plant & Grow Winterberry Bushes. They will grow in wet areas as well as normal soil. Gardeners in northern climates are faced with a challenge in keeping the landscape interesting when the last of the autumn flowers and colorful fall foliage have faded. Sign up for our newsletter. But if your landscape has been well planned, winter need not be a time of colorlessness. To get berries on a female plant, a male plant must be near. It typically grows 3 to 15 feet tall and readily suckers to form large thickets. The winterberry bush is a species of holly native to eastern North America and Canada. Grow the young winterberry cuttings in a protected area of the landscape or indoors until the plants reach a height of about 12 inches. It gets its name from the Christmas-red berries that develop from fertilized flowers and stay on the bare bush stems much of the winter. It produces prolific amounts of dark red fruit that persist well into January. Pruning is not an essential part of caring for winterberry holly shrubs. After a month, remove the plastic and continue to grow the cutting in the pot. Because only fertilized female plants will produce a wonderful display of berries, it is crucial that there be at least one male winterberry plant in the area to allow for cross-pollination. It does poorly in neutral to alkaline soil, which can cause fatal chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves). ‘Sparkleberry’ is a deciduous hybrid female winterberry that typically matures to 6-10’ tall and as wide. Why Fast-Growing-Trees.com is Better. Even if you are already growing winterberry holly, you’ll have to look closely to see the small, greenish flowers that appear in spring. When you read up on winterberry holly information, you learn that the shrubs are deciduous, with leaves up to 4 inches long. Do you sell both male and female plants? The bark is smooth and attractive, gray to black, while the crown is upright and spreading. Winterberry holly care does not require a male and a female plant, but you’ll need at least one of each in the vicinity if you want the signature red berries. Although holly will grow in most soils, caring for winterberry holly shrubs is easiest when you plant them in organic loam. A. Winterberry holly will do well in either full sun or part shade. Noteworthy Characteristics. Each berry holds three to five tiny seeds. First class pick for planting in saturated areas. And 2) Why do you think they need to be pruned? The leaves are dark green and elliptical, about 2 to 3 inches long. Acclaimed for its heavy fruiting, Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold' is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with an upright-rounded habit. Winterberry holly is an amazing plant with a tremendous geographical range and a very diverse genetic expression. Plant blue holly in moist, well-drained soil. 1) Does your email charge you by the word? Winterberry is a dioecious plant, which means there are separate male and female plants. Winter Red Winterberry Holly. A native plant and member of the Holly family, it is found in swampy habitats across the Eastern United States from zone 3 to 9. Although one might view this as a drawback, it proves to be a beneficial trait, since it allows the exciting display of red berries to come to the forefront as winter arrives. To encourage fruit production, plant at least one male bush for every four female plants. You will receive a male and a … This deciduous winterberry holly produces abundant small greenish-white flowers in late spring or early summer that are followed by a profusion of large, glossy golden-peachy berries from early fall throughout winter. Gardeners in northern climates are faced with a challenge in keeping the landscape interesting when the last of the autumn flowers and colorful fall foliage have faded. Lanky winterberry hollies can be made to grow somewhat denser by pruning, but some varieties just naturally grow more compact and dense than others. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a notable exception. That means you do not need to worry about watering, fertilizing or pruning each year. Plant the male within 50 feet of the female plants. By fall, the new plant should be ready to transplant into the garden. Tree Type This is an ornamental shrub, typically planted for the visual interest and beauty it can bring to landscape. Do not plant it in dry soil or in a dry climate unless you are willing to water frequently. A winterberry holly shrub left to grow unrestrained may reach heights and widths of up to 9 feet after many years of growing. Feeding with an acid fertilizer can prevent this. Winter is a time when many gardeners resign themselves to a landscape that will be a bit dreary until next spring, spending their time planning next year's garden. Where needed, 1/2 cup of balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied each spring usually is sufficient. Winterberry is a dioecious species, meaning female flowers and male flowers grow on separate plants. Where alkaline soil is a problem, an acid fertilizer may help. Asked by Yellow September 28, 2019. For winterberry holly information, including notes on how to grow winterberry holly, read on. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, 3 to 15 feet tall and wide, depending on variety. Mature Size The winterberry grows to a height of 18–24' and a spread of 10–12' at maturity. If so, how do I do it? Winterberry fruits brightening the December sky. Winterberry is an erect moderate sized shrub, growing to heights of 5 to 15 feet tall. One male winterberry plant produces adequate pollen for up to 10 female plants. Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is grown for its distinctive foliage – it has … Winterberry is dioecious and the male and female flowers form on separate plants. Sunlight makes a difference as well. Wiinterberry has a good tolerance for all temperature and humidity conditions across its hardiness range, though it does not do well in conditions of prolonged dryness. The tree has alternate leaves with spiny toothed and sometimes smooth margins. Fall color is usually not impressive, although some years may see the foliage turn an attractive maroon color. Winter is a time when many gardeners resign themselves to a dreary winter landscape, spending their time planning next year's garden. Answer. The twigs are slender, with … It has the potential to grow up to 15 feet tall and changes colors throughout the year. Because the flowers (and resulting berries) appear on new growth, this shrub should be pruned to shape in early spring, just before new growth appears. Plant winterberry holly from nursery transplants or cuttings, rather than wild plants. They will grow in partial shade but produce more berries when grown in full sun. The species name, verticillata, is derived from the Latin adjective verticillate which means “having whorls”, perhaps referring the whorls of berries around the plant stems. A mass of winterberry shrubs covered with scarlet fruits can bring cheer to the dreariest winter landscape, and in some parts of the country, the fruit-laden, leafless branches are marketed as Christmas decorations. In late spring through mid-summer, cut several 2- to 3-inch-long stem tips, then remove all but the top pair of leaves. Growing American Holly and Related Plants, Winterberry Holly: A Deciduous Native Holly With Breathtaking Berries, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home, 10 Best Evergreens for Privacy Screens and Hedges. These bushes should be spaced out 3 to 4 feet apart, center on center. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! This plant will require 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation. This plant adapts to both light and heavy soils but performs best in acidic loam with a good level of organic material. Berry Poppins Winterberry Holly Spacing. Native populations of Ilex verticillata stretch from Nova Scotia, south to Florida and west to Missouri. The width of the plant is also variable. The leaves are dark green in the summer, turning yellow in autumn, and falling off entirely by October. The shrubs range in height from 5 to 15 feet depending on the cultivar. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Prune annually to shape.Pruning time: late winter to early spring. If not, is there a different way to make more of them? From sandy to dry to wet soils, polluted or salty air, and shade or sun...it will continue to grow … Only fertilized female flowers will produce berries. Answer. All the attention is drawn to the plant's fruit, with no foliage to obstruct the view. Dip the lower part of the stem in rooting hormone, then insert the cut end into a pot filled with standard potting soil. How to Grow Winterberry. Although winterberry will tolerate some dryness, it grows best with re… The winterberry bush is a deciduous variety of holly that is native to the Eastern part of the United States.It is used as an ornamental shrub and as a bird attractant. Why Fast-Growing-Trees.com is Better. Pruning is recommended because these shrubs not only grow tall, they also sucker profusely if not controlled. But it’s easy to glimpse the many bright red berries that deck the winterberry holly bows from late summer deep into winter. Asked by pam October 4, 2019. Summary. The smooth bark of winterberry is gray to blackish, with knobby lenticels The dense branches of this shrub grow in a zigzag pattern with an upright spreading crown. winterberry.fruits.dec2013.jpg. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Planting one of the many good cultivars may be preferable to planting the native species, since the growth characteristics of the cultivars are often preferable to those of the native form. Be sure to plant one male winterberry holly (Ilex verticilata) for every 5-7 female winterberry hollies. Q: Is it possible to get a winterberry to grow from seed? 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