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BERRY HEAVY®

Holly - Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

'Spravy'

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Close up of bright orange red berries on Berry Heavy winterberry holly branch "} Close up of bright orange red berries on Berry Heavy winterberry holly branch Berry Heavy Ilex verticillata in marsh landscape Close up of Berry Heavy Ilex verticillata berries and foliage
  • Native to North America
  • Very heavy fruit set
  • Deer resistant
Description

Brighten up the winter landscape with Berry Heavy® winterberry holly. This North American native shrub produces copious amounts of bright red berries to be enjoyed in fall and winter. The berries are not edible for humans, but birds will happily scoop them up when they soften in winter. Berry Heavy® winterberry holly attracts an abundance of pollinators, but deer aren’t interested in it. Use in mass plantings, wildlife gardens, or native gardens for a truly eye-catching winter display. The vibrant fruit looks great in floral and holiday arrangements. Berry Heavy® Ilex verticillata is a female selection and requires a male pollinator to produce berries; use Mr. Poppins® winterberry holly. 

USDA Zone
3 - 9 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
6 - 8'
Width
6 - 8'
Finish Time
1.5 seasons
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Does best in moist (even very moist), slightly acidic soils, but can take average soils as well. Avoid high pH sites.

Pruning

Winterberry holly blooms on old wood. However, pruning female varieties after blooming will remove any developing fruit, so pruning is not recommended except to remove entire branches in an effort to attain a specific form. Male varieties could be pruned after blooming, however, given the typically slow growth rate of winterberry hollies, pruning is not recommended for them either.

Uses

Mass plantings; hedges; cutting gardens; wildlife gardens; natural areas.

Growing Tips

One male plant will pollinate up to five females. Plant within about 50'/15.25m of one another to ensure pollination and good fruit set. Quite tolerant of shaded conditions; however, fruit set is best with at least 4 hours of sun each day.

  • Grower Sheet: Berry Heavy® Ilex Grower Sheet
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week September 24, 2020
  • Spec Sheet: Berry Heavy® Ilex Spec Sheet
  • Benchcard: Berry Heavy® Ilex Benchcard
  • Tag: Berry Heavy® Ilex Tag

    • Features: Cut flower, Native, Winter interest, Attracts pollinators, Deer resistant, Clay soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Ilex, Common name: Holly - Winterberry, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Cut flower, Native, Winter interest, Attracts pollinators, Deer resistant, Clay soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Ilex, Common name: Holly - Winterberry, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage