Jim Dandy Winterberry (Male) Holly Ilex Verticillata 3 Gal

Ilex verticillata, commonly called winterberry, is a deciduous holly that is native to eastern North America where it typically occurs in swamps, damp thickets, low woods and along ponds and streams. This is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub with an upright-rounded habit that typically grows 6-12’ tall. Mature specimens in the wild can reach upwards of 15'. Often suckers to form large thickets or colonies. The bark is smooth and grey with scattered lenticles. Elliptic to obovate, toothed, dark green leaves will reach 2-3" long and 1" wide. Fall color is usually negligible, but in some years leaves may turn attractive shades of maroon. The foliage is a larval food source for the Harris' three-spot and pawpaw sphinx moths. Relatively inconspicuous greenish-white flowers appear in the leaf axils in late spring and are attractive to small bees and flies. Flowers, if properly pollinated, give way to a crop of bright red berries (1/4” diameter) in late summer to fall. Berries are quite showy and will persist throughout the winter and often into early spring. They are an important winter food source for a variety of birds and mammals.