Plant Name: Ilex verticillata
Common Name: Winterberry Holly
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3-12 ft – depending on varieties
Spread: Same information as height
Bloom Time: Early summer
Flower Color: White, or cream – small
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Rich organic acidic soil, but grows in average garden soil.
Water Needs: Moist boggy areas
Native to: Eastern North America
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Attributes: Vibrant Red Winter Berries, Important food source for American Robins, Winter Interest.
Uses: Wetland habitats, Native gardens, Bird habitat, Rain garden, Firewise garden, Wildlife gardens, Cutting garden, Containers dwarf varieties, Floral arrangements.
Note: Plants are dioecious meaning male or female. A male plant is needed for female plants to produce berries. Plant a male shrub within 50 feet of female plants. One male plant can pollinate 6-10 female plants, but note blooming time must match when female’s bloom. Slow growers. Shrubs can sucker out into a dense thicket when planted in wet boggy areas.
A few varieties are listed below:
Berry Heavy: 6-8 ft (female)
Berry Nice: 6-8 ft (female)
Sparkleberry: 5-8 ft (female)
Southern Gentleman: 12 ft (male)
Apollo: 6-10 ft (male)
Raritan Chief: 7 ft T X 12 ft W (male)
Jim Dandy: 6-10 ft (male)
Dwarf varieties:
Afterglow: 3-6 ft (female)
Little Goblin: 3-5 ft (female)
Little Goblin Guy: 3-5 ft (male)
Red Sprite: 3-5 ft (female)
Berry Poppins: 3-4 ft (female)
Mr. Poppins: 3-4 ft (male)
by: Carlotta Lucas
list since the 1980s. With its high seed production and 90% germination rate, this plant has taken over forest floors, wetlands and open spaces at an alarming rate. It is now found in the wild in 31 states; throughout all eastern and mid-western states, and areas of Wyoming and Washington.
Recently an alarming side effect of this plant’s escape into the wild has been discovered. Japanese Barberry creates a humid microclimate creating a highly favorable environment for tick survival and reproduction cycles. This humid environment is especially suited for Deer Ticks (aka: Blacklegged Ticks) ( Ixodes scapularis), vectors of Lyme Disease! And indeed, studies show Lyme Disease has increased where Japanese Barberry is prevalent. This plant’s encroachment has now created a public health issue, which has BLM, USDA, and Agriculture Mangers stepping up efforts to eradicate it in the wild.
