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Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ (Winterberry)

Winterberry 'Red Sprite', Black Alder 'Red Sprite', Feverbark 'Red Sprite', Swamp Winterberry 'Red Sprite'

Award General
Ilex Verticillata 'Red Sprite', Winterberry 'Red Sprite', red berries, evergreen shrub, American winterberry, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub

Native to the swampy areas of Eastern North America, Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ (Winterberry) is a dwarf shrub with excellent year-round interest. This deciduous holly produces abundant small greenish-white flowers in late spring or early summer, followed by a profusion of bright red berries in fall and winter. Extremely attractive, they enliven the winter landscape and often persist into early spring unless eaten by birds. The foliage consists of elliptic, toothed, glossy, dark green leaves. ‘Red Sprite’ is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce attractive red berries. Generally, one male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 9-10 female plants.

  • Slow-growing, this deciduous shrub has an upright, rounded habit and grows up to 3-5 ft. tall and wide (90-150 cm). Its modest size makes it ideal for small gardens.
  • Winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, are winter hardy in zone 5 or colder, and are pest resistant.
  • Full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained, acidic soils. Tolerates poorly drained soils as well as wet boggy conditions. Does poorly in neutral to alkaline soils and often dies.
  • Generally pest and disease free
  • Mass in mixed shrub borders. Perfect as a specimen plant, hedges, or foundation plantings. Excellent shrub for wet soils, bog gardens, rain gardens, and along streams or ponds. The red-fruited branches make lovely home decorations.
  • Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears
  • Native to Eastern North America

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Common names Winterberry, Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ilex vomitoria f. pendula (Weeping Yaupon Holly)
Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’ (Chinese Holly)
Ilex cassine (Dahoon)
Ilex Golden Oakland® (Holly)
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Ilex verticillata ‘Jim Dandy’ (Winterberry)

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December Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Ilex aquifolium (English Holly)
Attractive Evergreen Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
Attractive Deciduous Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Common names Winterberry, Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ilex (Holly)
Guides with
Ilex (Holly)
Not sure which Ilex (Holly) to pick?
Compare Now

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