Shrub
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Features
Bright red fruit on female plants; autumn color is pale yellow.
Culture
Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil is best, but tolerates wet sites; tolerates alkaline soil.
Cultivars
- 'Afterglow'- 10 feet tall, orange to orange red fruit, good cold hardiness, (female).
- 'Jim Dandy'- 10 feet tall, (male).
- 'Red Sprite'- 3-5 feet tall, large, bright red fruit (female).
- 'Southern Gentleman' - Hardy to zone 3, (male).
- 'Spriber' ('Berry Nice')- 6-8 feet tall, outstanding display of bright red fruit (female).
- 'Winter Gold'- 7 feet tall, yellow fruit (female).
- 'Winter Red'- 9 feet tall, bright red fruits are abundant and persistent.
Mature Height
6-9 Feet
Size
Medium
Mature Width
6-9 Feet
Mature Form
Oval to rounded; will sucker
Native To:
United States (and Illinois)
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
Soil Conditions
Moist, Well-Drained
Wet
Tolerance
Alkaline Soil
Soil Compaction
Wet Sites
Wind
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Sun/Shade
Uses
Border
Massing
Naturalizing
Screen
Specimen
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow
Pests and Problems
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Additional Notes
All species of Ilex have male and female flowers on separate plants. Fruit will be produced only if a male plant is available to pollinate the females. Leaves of this species will fall off in autumn.
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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