Plant Profile: Winterberry
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a small tree or shrub that is native to the eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a holly, but is not evergreen. It can grow to 8 feet wide and high. Winterberry prefers full to part sun and wet, acidic soils. It is very happy planted along the edge of a pond or lake. If they experience drought or too much shade, their berry production will decrease. To produce berries a male and female plant are both required – to ensure that happens, plant ‘Jim Dandy’, a compact male winterberry that is specifically marketed to pollinate other winterberries. Make sure it is located within 50 feet of the female (berry-producing) plants. It blooms in June and its small flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Winterberry is most pleasing in the autumn landscape, when its leaves fall off to reveal branches loaded with bright red, orange, or yellow berries. These remain on the tree for the first part of winter and then the birds move in to consume them. The branches of berries are often used in holiday and floral arrangements. Plant them where they can attain their mature height and spread because pruning is not recommended as it will impact the number of flowers and the quantity of fruit that the plant sets. Newer cultivars on the market include ‘Berry Heavy’, ‘Winter Gold’, ‘Red Sprite’, ‘Sparkleberry’, and ‘Little Goblin’, a dwarf version. Winterberry: You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine. Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz Video and Editing by Hojung Ryu ➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!) ➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out ➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE ~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com ~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener ~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/ ~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine ~ Podcast: GardenDC
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