Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman'

Ilex verticillata, or Winterberry, is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The 'Southern Gentleman' I. verticillata cultivar, is the late blooming male pollinator plant for other, late blooming, female Ilex verticillata plants. You need a ratio of one male Winterberry for every 6 to10 female Winterberry plants. The late blooming female I. verticillata cultivars include ‘Cacapon’, ‘Shaver’, 'Sparkleberry’, ‘Sunset’, 'Winter Red', and ‘Winter Gold’. 

The 'Southern Gentleman' cultivar is a deciduous tree or shrub that may grow to 8 feet high, somewhat smaller than the 10 to 15 foot height of the Winterberry parent plant. The leaves are alternate with a sharply toothed margin and hairy underside. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown. In spring, stalked, yellow-green flowers mature in clusters. Because 'Southern Gentleman' is a male plant, it produces no fruit.

Winterberry cultivars are highly adaptable to various soil types, including heavy clay, but prefer organically rich, moist loamy soils.  It needs acidic soil or may suffer from chlorosis. Tolerates poorly drained soils including wet or swampy conditions (this species is native to swampy areas of Eastern North America). Flowers appear on new growth. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears.

Insects, Diseases, Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.  Leaf spots and powdery mildew occasionally occur. Neutral to alkaline soils may cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and even death. 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Ilex verticillata.