On my yearly pilgrimage to sunnier shores, I enjoyed the lovely colorful shrubs before leaving Nova Scotia, Canada. Then I met them again everywhere around the Appalachians and then - o wonder - in NW Florida. They can be seen in gardens and in the wild. In December they are perfect for attractive winter bouquets, mixed for example with dark-green Pine or Boxwood twigs.
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Ilex verticillata – the American winterberry – is prized as an ornamental plant in gardens for the midwinter splash of bright color from densely packed berries. Winterberries grow from Hardiness Zones 4 to 9 in the Eastern part of North America.
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Winterberries are easy to grow, with very few diseases or pests. In July they are showing white blooms. Berries appear from November on. Although wet acidic soils are optimal, the winterberry will grow well in the average garden. Important: At least one male plant must be planted in proximity to one or more females for them to bear fruit. For best color impact, plant five or seven shrubs in a group in your garden.
