Ilex verticillata

Ilex verticillata

Common name: winterberry

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Leaf: Elliptic to obovate, toothed, dark green leaves, up to 2-3" long, sometimes turning a beautiful maroon in fall

Flower: inconspicuous, appearing in leaf axils in spring

Fruit: showy, often persisting through winter

Habit: deciduous holly; Form: upright, rounded

Height: 3-12'; 

Culture: Easily grown in average, acidic, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to heavy and light soils, but grows best in moist, acidic, organic loams. Good tolerance of poorly-drained soils, including wet, boggy or swampy conditions. Female plants will need a nearby male plants to produce the attractive berries. One male is usually sufficient to pollinate 6-10 females. Flowers appear on new growth. Prune to shape in early spring before growth appears.

Uses: yearround interest, winter interest, mass or group in shrub borders, foundations, native plants, bird gardens, hedge, shrub for wet/moist areas of the garden, or along streams and ponds.

Origin: Eastern N. America