A native deciduous (loses its leaves in winter) holly grown for its outstanding berry display. Small to medium size deep green shrubs with yellow fall color and showy red berries that ripen in September and persist sometimes into January. Often found in wet areas in the wild. Moth host (Pawpaw Sphinx). Cut branches of berries are attractive.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment:
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
Hardy From Zone: 3
Hardy To Zone: 9
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Hardiness Zones
as defined by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; (hardiness zones are not recorded for all Grow Native! plants)
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Nesting, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
6 to
10
feet
Spread:
4 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 4 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 4 to
8
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Great in mass plantings. Lovely berry display.
Establishment and Care Instructions
A native deciduous (loses its leaves in winter) holly grown for its outstanding berry display. Small to medium size deep green shrubs with yellow fall color and showy red berries that ripen in September & persist sometimes into January. Attractive bark in winter. Often found in wet areas in the wild.
Special Features
Special Usage
Rainscaping, Fresh Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.