Native Plant of the Week - Winterberry Holly

This week's native plant of the week is Ilex verticillata, Winterberry holly - which in my opinion could be the native plant of the winter season. This shrub provides not only beautiful red berries for our viewing pleasure, but sustenance for song birds and small mammals during the cold winter months.

First, some information about Winterberry holly:

• It is native to Eastern US
• It is a deciduous holly (loses its leaves)
• Berries remain and cover the branches
• Male and female plants are needed for berry production (1 male for 3-5 females)
• An easy plant to grow, has few disease and insect problems

Winterberry holly do well in full sun and tolerate some shade, does great in wet areas in the garden (another great rain garden shrub!) and there are many cultivars to choose from. This shrub provides year round interest - lustrous, thick, dark green leaves in spring with small white flowers, which give way to the berries forming in summer, after which the leaves drop in fall revealing the red berries for the winter display. Winterberry Holly looks amazing in the snow!

Even after the berries are gone (eaten), the smooth silvery-gray bark is quite striking and beautiful. Some common cultivars: 'Red Sprite' (female, smaller shrub at 3-5' tall), 'Jim Dandy' (male, pair with 'Red Sprite'), 'Winter Red' (popular for cutting, use for holiday decor, reaches about 8-9' in height), and 'Wintergold' (pinkish-orange berry color). So give Winterberry Holly a try in your landscape. It will add color and pop to your 'evergreen' winter landscape and will make your feathered and furry friends happy all winter long.