Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, is a deciduous holly renowned for the stunning display of brilliant red berries (also called drupes) that last on bare branches throughout the winter months. This native shrub is not only a spectacular landscape feature but also provides crucial support for local wildlife.
About Winterberry
If you take a walk in the woods this winter, keep an eye out for a flash of brilliant red color. Take a look in areas with wet soils — along streams, in moist forests, or even at the edge of a swamp — you might find a shrub covered in bright red berries. It’s hard to miss the clusters of brilliant red on the bare branches.
Winterberry is a deciduous holly, so it loses its leaves in the fall but maintains the red drupes that give it its name. It grows best in moist soil in part shade and can reach a height of about 7 to 10 feet.
Like all hollies, winterberry shrubs are separated into male and female plants. If you add this shrub in your backyard, you’ll need one male plant for every three or five female plants to get adequate berries. Males need to be planted within 40 feet of females for adequate pollination.
Winterberry is native to eastern and central North America (Source: Lady Bird Johnson Wildlflower Center)
The High Wildlife Value of Winterberry
Winterberry is an indispensable plant for ecosystems, offering valuable food and habitat, especially when resources are scarce.
A Winter Feast for Birds and Mammals
The bright red berries are a vital food source during the cold months, sustaining over 48 different bird species and several small mammals (Source: USDA). While the berries are low in fat, they provide a valuable source of food in the winter, when other sources of food are scarce.
Birds known to feed on winterberry include eastern bluebirds, hermit thrushes, wood thrushes, American robins, cedar waxwings, catbirds, northern mockingbirds, brown thrashers, and white-tailed sparrows. Raccoons and mice also rely on the berries for winter sustenance.
Birds and small mammals also use winterberry for nesting sites and cover from predators.
Support for Pollinators and Butterflies
The shrub’s flowers provide nectar for various butterflies and other pollinators during the spring. The leaves serve as a host plant for the larvae of the beautiful Henry’s elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici).
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, this shrub is of special value to honey bees. This is because it offers nectar and pollen during a time when many other plants are dormant (during late spring).
Deer and Rabbit Resistance
While the leaves and stems are not the preferred food of white-tailed deer or rabbits, they may browse them during the harshest parts of winter when other options are unavailable.
How to Successfully Grow Winterberry
Winterberry is relatively easy to grow once its basic needs are met, particularly regarding soil moisture and pollination.
Soil and Light: Winterberry thrives in moist soil. It is naturally found in wet areas like stream banks, moist forests, and swamp edges. It prefers conditions from full sun to part shade.
Size: The shrub typically reaches a mature height of 7 to 10 feet.
Like all hollies, winterberry plants are either male or female. Only the female plants produce the colorful berries. To ensure a good berry set, you’ll need to plant at least one male shrub for every three to five female shrubs.
The male plant must be positioned within 40 feet of the females to ensure adequate pollination. When purchasing, verify the variety names, as specific male cultivars are needed to pollinate specific female cultivars (based on bloom time).
Here’s a video on how to tell a male from a female shrub:
Including Winterberry in Your Garden Landscape
Winterberry’s stunning visual impact and wildlife benefits make it a great choice for several landscape applications.
| Landscape Use | Description | How to include it in your garden |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Use | Description | How to Include it in Your Garden |
| Winter Interest | Provides a spectacular focal point when all other plants are dormant, with bright red berries against white snow. | Plant it where it can be seen from a window or common outdoor area. |
| Hedge or Screen | Can be used as a dense, deciduous hedge or screen, particularly in moist areas. | Space plants appropriately for a solid screen. Ensure a male pollinator is included. |
| Rain Garden or Moist Soils | Due to its preference for moist soil, it is perfect for rain gardens or low-lying areas that tend to stay damp. | Use it as the dominant shrub layer in a wet border. |
| Wildlife Garden | A must-have for attracting birds, particularly during winter. | Locate near a bird feeder or bird bath to maximize wildlife interaction. |
Add this native shrub to your yard for amazing winter color and to attract and feed wildlife, particularly if you have a moist soil area.