Ilex verticillata

Flowers attract bees and other pollinators in spring

Bright red berries provide vital winter food for robins, bluebirds, cedar waxwings, and other songbirds

Dense branching structure offers nesting and protective cover for small wildlife

Spring brings fresh leaves and small white-green flowers

Summer provides lush foliage and developing berries

Fall features yellowing leaves and ripening red berries

Winter showcases bare branches studded with bright scarlet fruits

– Ornamental winter interest shrub, mass plantings, hedges, borders near ponds or streams, cut branches for holiday décor, wildlife gardens

Leaves are oval, dark green, 2–4 inches long with finely serrated edges

Foliage turns yellow to bronze in autumn before dropping

Small, greenish-white flowers appear in late spring to early summer

Male flowers are clustered while female flowers are solitary

Flowers are subtle but crucial for berry development

Plant in early spring or fall so roots can establish before heat or frost

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, keeping the crown level with the soil

Mix native soil with compost to improve drainage and fertility

Space shrubs 5–8 feet apart to allow mature spread

Mulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or leaf mold to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature

• Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges
  
• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems to maintain a healthy framework
  
• Thin lightly to encourage strong new growth and better berrying branches
  
• Avoid pruning after spring to prevent removing flower and fruiting wood
  

• Thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and tolerates boggy conditions
  
• Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first 2–3 years
  
• Mulch helps conserve soil moisture and maintain cool roots
  

Prefers full sun for best berry production

Tolerates partial shade but berry set will be lighter

• Stems laden with berries are harvested in late fall or early winter for use in holiday decorations
  
• Use sharp pruners to cut stems at an angle while leaving plenty of berries for birds
  
• Fresh-cut berry branches last well in arrangements indoors
  

• Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 in early spring
  
• Enrich soil annually with compost or organic mulch
  
• Avoid excessive nitrogen as it promotes foliage over berry production
  

• Dioecious species with separate male and female plants
  
• At least one male is required for every 5–7 females to ensure good berry production
  
• Pollinated primarily by bees and other insects
  

• Evergreen shrubs and trees such as Thuja, Pinus, and Juniperus provide year-round contrast to red berries
  
• Moisture-loving shrubs like Clethra alnifolia and Hydrangea arborescens thrive in similar soil conditions
  
• Perennials such as ferns, Hosta, and Astilbe add texture and seasonal interest
  
• Male cultivars such as ‘Jim Dandy’ or ‘Southern Gentleman’ are essential companions for pollination