Winterberry Holly Plant Guide: How to Grow Winterberry Holly

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous holly shrub native to Eastern North America and Asia. This bush has pointed, dark-green foliage, which red berries cluster around. Its leaves will fall off in the late fall and early winter while its berries remain, leaving a dazzling display of bright red fruit in your garden.

Winterberry also goes by many common names, including holly berry, black alder, common winterberry, fever bush, and false alder.

From the Ilex genus, holly bushes produce red berries, white flowers, and spiny leaves. Their association with the Christmas holiday has made them popular additions to winter gardens. You can enjoy their green leaves and bright red berries beyond the winter months; they grow best in early spring and late fall. The shrub thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9.

There are quite a few types of winterberry shrubs you can choose from, many of which make great groundcovers or hedging plants. Here are some of the most popular cultivars of winterberry:

1. 1. ‘Aurantiaca’: This variation of winterberry has pinkish or orange berries, and it can grow up to eight feet tall.
2. 2. ‘Jim Dandy’: This variety has satin, yellow foliage reminiscent of fall. Plant this male winterberry cultivar alongside female winterberry bushes to attract beneficial pollinators.
3. 3. 'Oosterwijk': This Dutch cultivar features branches with colorful leaves frequently used in floral arrangements and floral displays.
4. 4. ‘Red Sprite’: Gardeners typically use this low-mounded shrub as a hedge or dense groundcover.
5. 5. ‘Southern Gentleman’: This late-blooming variety of winterberry is popular as a hedge plant because it can reach heights of eight feet.
6. 6. ‘Winter Gold’: This shrub has orange berries that grow lighter as they mature until they appear gold.
7. 7. ‘Winter Red’: This shrub is a particularly berry-heavy cultivar that grows dense thickets of red berries.

The best way to grow this unique shrub is to purchase a young plant from a garden center and transplant it into your garden. Here’s how to grow winterberry holly bushes:

1. 1. Choose the right location. Holly shrubs need sunlight to thrive, but too much time in full sun can adversely affect the plants, so seek out a place in your garden that gets equal parts shade and sun. For example, landscapers often plant these shrubs around the base of their homes.
2. 2. Prepare the soil. Prepare your planting area with well-draining, acidic soil and groundcover because the plant won’t perform well in dry soil or a dry climate.
3. 3. Plant in a deep, wide hole. Your holly bushes need ample room to grow—both above and below ground—so dig expansive holes, considering the size of the root ball. Aim for around twice the size of the roots themselves. When planting multiple bushes, give them plenty of space between each other, as their root systems can grow very large.
4. 4. Water immediately. After planting your holly, water the area surrounding the plant to settle the soil.

For holly bushes to flourish and produce new growth, you’ll need to tend to them throughout their lives. Follow these tips to help your winterberry holly prosper:

1. 1. Prune in winter. Holly plants can grow tall and wide, so it’s important to cull and cut them when necessary. Prune holly when it is dormant in the winter season. Otherwise, trim it down whenever you see fit.
2. 2. Keep pests at bay. Watch for smaller insects eager to feast on your holly plants. Leafminers and aphids can be notable nuisances, so use an insecticide if necessary.
3. 3. Use both male and female plants. Plant male and female holly plants close to each other in the garden: Winterberry holly is dioecious. Different plants produce male and female flowers, so they do not self-pollinate. Female plants will only produce red berries after being fertilized by male pollinators.
4. 4. Maintain soil moisture. Winterberry can be drought-tolerant, but its green foliage will shine brighter in wet soils. Maintain moist soil around your winterberry holly bushes by watering them regularly.
5. 5. Fertilize the soil annually. Holly bushes are resilient in plenty of growing conditions but nourish them as well as you can. Every year, add mulch or organic fertilizer into the mix to keep their glossy leaves as brilliant as when they first bloomed.

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