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photo of Mike Farrow

Meet the Breeder

Mike Farrow
Maryland, USA

BERRY POPPINS®

Holly - Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

'FarrowBPop'

USPP 25,835; CBR 5286

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Berry Poppins winterberry holly framed by two tree trunks in winter landscape Dwarf Berry Poppins winterberry holly in snowy landscape Close up of plentiful red berries on Berry Poppins winterberry holly Green foliage and just emerging green fruit of dwarf Berry Poppins winterberry Branch of Berry Poppins winterberry laden with red fruit in fall Compact Berry Poppins winterberry holly covered in red fall fruit YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Native to North America
  • Space saving
  • Dwarf and compact
Description

Winterberry is unmatched for winter interest, but many homeowners don't have room for a traditional variety. Enter Berry Poppins®: an excellent, heavy fruiting dwarf cultivar. Ideal for those who want bright winter color and fruit for cutting but don't have room for a conventional I. verticillata. It is heavier fruiting than 'Red Sprite'. For berries on this female selection, a male pollinator is required; use Mr. Poppins® winterberry holly. Fruit is not edible.

USDA Zone
3 - 9 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
3 - 4'
Width
3 - 4'
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 Poppins® Ilex Grower Sheet
  • Tag: Berry Poppins® Ilex Tag
  • Benchcard: Berry Poppins® Ilex Benchcard
  • Spec Sheet: Berry Poppins® Ilex Spec Sheet
  • Booklet/Brochure: Top 10 Landscape Shrubs - 2021
  • Booklet/Brochure: A New Vision for Native Shrubs

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

    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, Compact, Dwarf

    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