Ilex – Berry Heavy^® – Winterberry Holly – Ilex verticillata

Attracts: Birds

Resists: Deer

Bog Plant

Dead-Heading Not Necessary

Native to North America

Fall Interest

Winter Interest

Maintenance Notes

For complete information about growing and getting berries on winterberry holly, please see our Ultimate Guide to Winterberry Holly. 

One male plant will pollinate up to 5 female plants; plant within 50' of one another to assure good pollination.

Adaptable to wet soils, does well in light and heavy soils. First class pick for planting in saturated areas. 

It is best to avoid pruning winterberry hollies, except to remove whole branches for cut flowers or other decorating. Regular  pruning or cutting back, however, will impact the number of flowers and the quantity of fruit that the plant sets. Little pruning should be required, though very old branches can be removed in early spring if they are no longer producing vigorous growth. 

According to the Humane Society of America Ilex berries can be toxic to pets. This is means that the plants are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction.

Uses Notes

A good addition to mixed borders or cutting gardens. Beautiful for cuts to create holiday displays. Good in groupings and mass plantings, perennial and shrub borders, as a specimen, screen, or hedge. Good show in winter gardens. This plant tolerates wet conditions and may be used in bioswales and rain gardens.

Please Note: To produce berries, you'll need to plant Mr. Poppins^®male winterberry holly as well.

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Average

Blooms On Old Wood

Bloom Time

Flower Form Cut Flower, Landscape