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Native alternative(s) for Ilex verticillata x serrata:
Ilex decidua Ilex decidua
Ilex montana Form
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus amomum Cornus amomum
Ilex decidua Ilex decidua
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Ilex verticillata x serrata has some common insect problems:
Holly Pest Management Calendar
Holly Berry Gall Midge
Pests of Holly
Leafminers of Hollies

Ilex verticillata x serrata

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh x sair-AY-tuh
Description

Winterberry is a slow-growing, deciduous, woody shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid between a North American species (I. verticillata) and an Asian species (I. serrata).

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. 

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. It attracts songbirds, pollinators, and specialized bees. It is resistant to deer damage, wet soil, and pollution. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Deciduous, shrubby holly with persistent red berries.

  • Berry has a terminal black dot (the dried stigma)

  • Leaves are serrated and veins are pubescent underneath.

  • Leaf veins are impressed.

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:
  • 'Apollo'
    Male plant
  • 'Harvest Red'
    Female shrub
  • 'Raritan Chief'
    Male pollinator
  • 'Sparkleberry'
    Female shrub
'Apollo', 'Harvest Red', 'Raritan Chief', 'Sparkleberry'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#riparian#wetlands#showy fruits#specialized bees#fire low flammability#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#FAC#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#bee friendly#winter fruits#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apollo'
    Male plant
  • 'Harvest Red'
    Female shrub
  • 'Raritan Chief'
    Male pollinator
  • 'Sparkleberry'
    Female shrub
'Apollo', 'Harvest Red', 'Raritan Chief', 'Sparkleberry'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#riparian#wetlands#showy fruits#specialized bees#fire low flammability#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#FAC#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#bee friendly#winter fruits#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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