Ilex verticillata
Winterberry Holly
General
A deciduous holly shrub with bright red berries. The berries are an important wintertime food for wildlife. Winterberry thrives in moist sites and acidic soils.
Plant Description
Medium to tall shrub growing 6-9’, elliptical undulate leaves during the warm seasons that turn brown or yellow in autumn. Thick clusters of showy red berries remain well into winter and give the shrub a festive air.
Height (ft)
6-10
Spread (ft)
5
Soil moisture
High
Soil types
Medium to fine in texture, moist, acidic loams
Wetland indicator
FACW+
Shade tolerance
Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
Spring and Summer
Fall conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
No
Range
Northeastern United States, extending southwest to Georgia and Louisiana and northwest to Minnesota, and north into Ontario and Quebec.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the Iroquois have made a decoction of the bark as an emetic, psychic and for hay fever. The Ojibwe used the bark for stomach problems.