Winterberry…winter beauty
Vibrant berries add a pop of color to the winter landscape.
Celebrate stunning winter color with the native shrub, Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). This plant is not-at-all common given its impressive vibrancy that lends unexpected spice to the cold, drab months.
Winterberry is a deciduous shrub that loses its leaves in the autumn making the intensity of its winter berries even more prominent and striking! The berries can be red or yellow-gold. It is a dioecious plant, meaning that each plant is either male or female. Both must be planted to get the showy berries. It can get a little fussy when choosing male and female plants because you need to ensure that those you pick have the same blooming period. And that, of course, where your landscape and garden center experts come into play!
The male plants will never develop berries, but one male plant can pollinate up to five female plants within about 50 feet. That means you can tuck the less-showy male away and display one or more female plants wherever you want to make a splash!
Winterberry will grow 3-10 feet and is globular in shape. It is native to a large part of North America, from eastern Canada all the way to Texas. It is attractive to birds, providing a wintertime food source. And, if you have moist soils or wet areas, this plant is tolerant of those conditions. It is often found naturally near ponds and streams or other areas of wet soil. As its name implies, it is very winter hardy…and it is definitely an eye catcher!
Wait no more for emblazoned color during the dreary months – include Winterberry in your landscape and find cheer in the chill as we await the appearance of Spring’s pastels!
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