Tag Archives: Ilex verticillata

Horticulture Report: Little Goblin® Dwarf Ilex verticillata

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Dwarf Ilex verticillata

Proven Winners®:  Little Goblin ® (female)   Little Goblin Guy® (male)

Ilex verticillata are dioecious meaning they are male or female plants.  A male plant is needed for female plants to produce berries.  One male plant can pollinate up to 10 female plants. Male plant must be planted within 50 ft of female plants, plus the male’s blooming time must align with female’s bloom time.

Common Name: Winterberry Holly

Plant type: Deciduous Dwarf  Shrub

Height: 3-4 feet        Width: 3-4 feet
Bloom Time: Late Spring

Flower Color:  White (small)
Exposure:  Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours)

Firewise: Yes- Low flammability, 6 feet of structure

Soil Requirements: Prefers rich organic acidic soil, but will grow in average garden soil.

Water Needs:  Moist Areas
Attributes: Vibrant Red Winter Berries; Important food source for American Robins; Winter Interest; Slow growing; Blooms on old wood  
Uses:  Bioswales, Wetland habitats, Native gardens, Bird habitat, Rain garden, Firewise garden, Wildlife gardens, Cutting garden, Container planting, Floral arrangements.
Native to: Eastern North America

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b

Horticulture Report: Winterberry

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Plant Name: Ilex verticillata, cross of Ilex verticillate & Ilex serrata
Common name: Winterberry
Plant type: deciduous, medium to tall shrub
Height: 4’-12’
Spread: 4’-10’
Bloom Time: May, June 
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full sun to Partial shade
Soil Requirements: average soil conditions.
Water Needs: average to low
Attributes: Grown for showy red winter berries on leafless stems. Berries feed overwintering birds.  Butterflies are attracted to flowers. Deer Resistant shrub.
Note: Winterberries are dioecious (separate male & female plants are needed for berry production; one male plant for 10-20 females. Flowers on new growth in late spring. Natural habitat Swamps, streams, river banks, near lakes or ponds.  
Uses: Stems are cut for use in winter floral displays.
Native to: China, Japan and Eastern North America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

*Link to “Guide to Growing Winterberry Holly”,  by: Stacey Hirvela  for Proven Winners: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/finding-right-plant/ultimate-guide-winterberry-holly

A few  varieties are: Berry Heavy ®, Berry Poppins™,  Jim Dandy (male)

Report by: Gena Goddard, Ashland Garden Club

Winterberry Holly

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Plant Name: Ilex verticillatawinterberry_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