Plant of the Month - December 2006

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)

This ornamental plant makes a welcome addition to any winter landscape. Sharing similar characteristics to its evergreen cousins, this holly sees leafs yellow in the fall and fall to the ground. The resulting stems (of female plants) are revealed to be covered with bright red fruit that lights up the vernal days. And a little snow and you have quite a show!

Ilex verticillata is a medium sized (6’-10’) multi-stemmed shrub that has separate male and female plants. Only the female plant fruits, and you must have a male plant near by to pollinate it. Winterberry Holly will benefit from yearly pruning of the oldest stems to keep the plant from getting too leggy, control size and to maintain consistent fruit display. This plant is native to swampy regions of North America and like acidic soils.

There are several excellent varieties of this species that can be used in the home landscape. They include ‘Red Sprite’, a dwarf variety and ‘Winter Red’, a large plant with long lasting fruit.