Ilex verticillata (EYE-leks ver-ti-sil-LAH-tah x ser-RAH-tuh)
Family: AquifoliaceaeUnknownShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Unknown
Winterberry is a slow-growing, deciduous, woody shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid between the North American I. verticillata and the Asian I. serrata . As the cross has not been given a formal hybrid name, it is referred to by its hybrid formula. Winterberry grows to a height and width of 6 to 10 feet, so plant individual plants 3 to 6 feet apart. Plant in locations that receive full sun or part shade in organically rich soil wet with good drainage. It grows well in a variety of soils including sand, loam, or clay but requires acidic soil. Winterberry spreads by suckers and can form colonies. Propagate through stem cutting. When purchasing a female plant be sure to purchase the male variety that blooms at the same time. One male plant will pollinate three to five female shrubs. Place the female plants where the red berries can be seen and enjoyed for year-round interest. This holly attracts songbirds, pollinators, and specialized bees. It is resistant to deer damage, wet soil, and pollution. Use this plant along streams or ponds, in rain gardens, as a hedge, or in a naturalized area. Use as an accent or specimen, or in a mass planting in a border. Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: The native holly leafminer, Japanese wax scale, and southern red mites are the most frequently reported pests of hollies in the southeastern United States. Leaf spots and powdery mildew occasionally occur. Neutral to alkaline soils may cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and even death. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Alternate, simple, dark green leaves; 1.5-3 inches long and .75 to 1.25 inches wide. Margins are serrated to doubly serrated and base and tip are acute. Undersides have hairs. Light yellow fall color
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, creamy-white flowers on male and female plants. Male plants bloom in clusters, female plants solitary or groups of 2-3 in early to mid-June. Female blooms have a distinct green miniature "knob" in the center while male blooms have anthers.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Showy bright red berry-like drupe on female plants that persists into winter
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is dark gray to brown, generally smooth with some lenticels
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Purple-brown young stems grow gray with age. Stems glabrous with dark black points on the twig surface on each side of the leaf scar
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Pollinators; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Pond; Woodland
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen