Woody > Ilex > Ilex verticillata > Ilex verticillata
Ilex verticillata
Winterberry
Mike's
Opinion
"
A shrub often planted for winter interest where its berries can make an outstanding show. Otherwise, it is a homely, back of the border type tramp.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus |
| Ilex |
| Species |
| verticillata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3–6 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4–6 |
| Height |
| 1.5– 3 m |
| Spread |
| 1.5–3 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Green leaves with red berries, needs both male and female parents to produce fruit, red berries present all winter long. |
| Cultivation |
| Grows good in moist soils, in full sun to partial shade. |
| Shape |
| Oval. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Deciduous, alternate leaves, red fruit may be present, multi-stemmed suckering habit, usually forming a clump. |
| Pests |
| Tar spot, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. |
| Habitat |
| Swamps and marshes, central USA and parts of Canada. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Dark grey to dark brown, has a twist to it. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Small 1.5 mm long, brown in colour, buds are smaller than leaf scar. |
| Leaf Description |
| Leaves are ovate, usually 4–6 cm long, dull dark green and somewhat pubescent. |
| Flower Description |
| Male – in clusters of 6 or more in axils; Females - less, single or in groups of three; flowers can be yellow, white/cream, and green/brown, not all that showy. |
| Fruit Description |
| Ilex is dioecious with the drupe formation needing a nearby male plant. Lustrous, orange-red fruit that persist through the winter; 8 mm in size. |
| Colour Description |
| Flowers are yellow, white–cream, green–brown, the bark can be dark grey to brown, bright red berries in autumn. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium in summer and winter. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Garden, Strathroy, Ontario. |
| Propagation |
| Early spring cuttings are best, although seed is another, but unreliable option. |
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