Ilex verticillata x serrata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ver-ti-sil-LAH-tah x ser-RAH-tuh
- Description
-
Winterberry is a slow-growing, deciduous, woody shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid between the North American I. verticillata and the Asian I. serrata. As the cross has not been given a formal hybrid name, it is referred to by its hybrid formula.
Winterberry grows to a height and width of 6 to 10 feet, so plant individual plants 3 to 6 feet apart. Plant in locations that receive full sun or part shade in organically rich soil wet with good drainage. It grows well in a variety of soils including sand, loam, or clay but requires acidic soil. Winterberry spreads by suckers and can form colonies. Propagate through stem cutting.
When purchasing a female plant be sure to purchase the male variety that blooms at the same time. One male plant will pollinate three to five female shrubs. Place the female plants where the red berries can be seen and enjoyed for year-round interest. This holly attracts songbirds, pollinators, and specialized bees. It is resistant to deer damage, wet soil, and pollution.
Use this plant along streams or ponds, in rain gardens, as a hedge, or in a naturalized area. Use as an accent or specimen, or in a mass planting in a border.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: The native holly leafminer, Japanese wax scale, and southern red mites are the most frequently reported pests of hollies in the southeastern United States. Leaf spots and powdery mildew occasionally occur. Neutral to alkaline soils may cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and even death.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Apollo'
Male. Shrub with many ascending basal branches. Good pollinizer for 'Sparkleberry' - 'Autumn Glow'
Female. Fruits vivid red. Attractive fall foliage colors. - 'Harvest Red'
Female. Vivid red fruits. Fall foliage dark purple. - 'Raritan Chief'
Male. Compact habit. Good pollinizer. - 'Sparkleberry'
Female. Heavy fruiting. Vivid red fruits.
- 'Apollo'
- 'Apollo', 'Autumn Glow', 'Harvest Red', 'Raritan Chief', 'Sparkleberry'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apollo'
Male. Shrub with many ascending basal branches. Good pollinizer for 'Sparkleberry' - 'Autumn Glow'
Female. Fruits vivid red. Attractive fall foliage colors. - 'Harvest Red'
Female. Vivid red fruits. Fall foliage dark purple. - 'Raritan Chief'
Male. Compact habit. Good pollinizer. - 'Sparkleberry'
Female. Heavy fruiting. Vivid red fruits.
- 'Apollo'
- 'Apollo', 'Autumn Glow', 'Harvest Red', 'Raritan Chief', 'Sparkleberry'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- verticillata
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer damage
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Oval
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Showy bright red berry-like drupe on female plants that persists into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, creamy-white flowers on male and female plants. Male plants bloom in clusters, female plants solitary or groups of 2-3 in early to mid-June. Female blooms have a distinct green miniature "knob" in the center while male blooms have anthers.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, dark green leaves; 1.5-3 inches long and .75 to 1.25 inches wide. Margins are serrated to doubly serrated and base and tip are acute. Undersides have hairs. Light yellow fall color
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is dark gray to brown, generally smooth with some lenticels
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Purple-brown young stems grow gray with age. Stems glabrous with dark black points on the twig surface on each side of the leaf scar
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Fire
- Pollution
- Wet Soil