Ilex Winterberry 'Winter Red' (3 Gallon)

Ilex Winterberry 'Winter Red' (Winter Red Winterberry Holly) – 3 Gallon

Description
Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red', commonly known as Winter Red Winterberry, is a standout deciduous holly prized for its profuse clusters of bright red berries that persist from fall through winter, lighting up the landscape when little else is in bloom. This native, multi-stemmed shrub features a shapely, upright, rounded form and deep green foliage that drops in autumn to reveal the showy berries—an essential winter food source for birds. 'Winter Red' is a female variety and requires a late-blooming male pollinator, such as 'Southern Gentleman', for berry production. Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of wet soils, this low-maintenance shrub is perfect for borders, hedges, rain gardens, pond edges, and naturalized areas.

Key Features
- **Botanical Name:** Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'
- **Common Name:** Winter Red Winterberry Holly
- **Container Size:** 3 Gallon
- **Mature Size:** 6–8 ft tall and wide
- **Growth Habit:** Upright, rounded, multi-stemmed
- **Foliage:** Lustrous dark green, deciduous
- **Bloom Time:** Late spring to early summer (small greenish-white flowers)
- **Berry Color:** Bright red, showy, persistent from fall through winter
- **Sunlight:** Full sun to partial shade (best berry set in full sun)
- **Soil:** Moist, acidic to neutral; tolerates clay, loam, and poorly drained soils
- **Water Needs:** Average to high; prefers moist to wet conditions
- **Hardiness Zones:** USDA 3–9
- **Maintenance:** Low; prune in early spring before new growth
- **Special Features:** Native, deer resistant, attracts birds and pollinators, tolerant of wet soils, excellent for cut branches and winter arrangements

Care Instructions
1. **Planting:**  
   - Choose a location with moist, acidic, well-drained to wet soil.  
   - Space plants 6–8 feet apart for hedges or mass plantings.  
   - Plant a compatible male pollinator (such as 'Southern Gentleman') within 40–50 feet for berry production.
2. **Watering:**  
   - Water regularly, especially during dry spells.  
   - Prefers consistently moist soil; do not allow to dry out.
3. **Fertilizing:**  
   - Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth is slow or soil is poor.
4. **Pruning:**  
   - Prune in early spring before new growth to shape and remove suckers if desired.
5. **Mulching:**  
   - Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Landscape Uses
- Borders and hedges
- Rain gardens and wetland edges
- Wildlife and pollinator gardens
- Winter interest and cut branches
- Naturalized and native plantings