Winterberry Holly Care Tips On Growing Winterberry Holly

When you want to know how to grow winterberry holly, remember that the shrub should be planted in acidic, moist soil in an area with some sun. Although holly will grow in most soils, caring for winterberry holly shrubs is easiest when you plant them in organic loam.

How do you take care of a winterberry plant?

Instructions. Plant the Winterberry in a large container with good drainage and place it somewhere where it can receive at least a few hours of direct sunlight every day. The Winterberry grows well in damp, neutral soil. Water it with frequency, but do not allow mud to form or water to accumulate on the surface.

How much sun does Winterberry need?

Winterberries are quite shade tolerant, but in very dark conditions, flowering and fruiting can be significantly diminished, or may not occur at all. We recommend a minimum of four hours of sun each day, or filtered light throughout the day, for the best display.

How long does Winterberry last?

Store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them. If you cut winterberry stems during the plant's growing season, the foliage should remain fresh for at least two weeks.

How do you fertilize winterberry bushes?

Winterberry grows moderately and probably won't need additional fertilizer unless growth is very slow. In this case, fertilize winterberry in the spring with ½ cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer applied around the base of the plant. Prune winterberry in early spring.

Is Winterberry poisonous to dogs?

Winterberry poisoning affects dogs, cats, and horses. The berries and leaves of this plant are toxic, though typically at a milder level than other similar plants.

Do birds like Winterberry?

Not only will the winterberries delight human neighbors every fall and winter, they will attract and feed a variety of birds. ... Birds that brighten our winter days, like Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins, will eat the fruit on chilly days. Cedar Waxwings and woodpeckers find Winterberries irresistible too.

When should I plant winterberry?

Winterberry, best planted in early autumn, is suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9.

What does a winterberry bush look like?

Unlike other familiar holly shrubs, winterberry is a deciduous shrub rather than an evergreen. ... Winterberry is a slow-growing shrub with a rounded upright growth habit. It typically grows 3 to 15 feet tall and readily suckers to form large thickets. The leaves are dark green and elliptical, about 2 to 3 inches long.

Is Winterberry an evergreen?

A holly has glossy evergreen leaves, right? ... Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly, or Winterberry is our native, wetland holly that loses it leaves each autumn. This beautiful shrub is all the showier because its lack of winter leaves makes its berry display all the brighter.

How do you prune a winterberry bush?

Examine the winterberry shrub from about 10 feet away, selecting branches that protrude from its uniform shape. Prune the branches to the ground, cutting them to an outward-facing 45-degree angle with pruning shears.

What grows well with Winterberry?

Winterberry pairs well with perennials that like the same sunny or lightly shaded conditions with somewhat moist soil. A mixed planting of daffodils (Narcissus) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) can provide long periods of interest from spring through early to midsummer. Both are generally hardy in zones 3 through 9 or 10.

How big do winterberry bushes get?

Winterberry is an erect moderate sized shrub, growing to heights of 5 to 15 feet tall. The smooth bark of winterberry is gray to blackish, with knobby lenticels The dense branches of this shrub grow in a zigzag pattern with an upright spreading crown.

Where does Winterberry grow?

Winterberry holly is an amazing plant with a tremendous geographical range and a very diverse genetic expression. Native populations of Ilex verticillata stretch from Nova Scotia, south to Florida and west to Missouri. It can be found growing in low grounds, moist woods, swamps and occasionally in higher, drier soils.

How do you grow Winterberry seeds?

Winterberry bushes are as easy to propagate as they are to grow. They can be grown from seed. The seed needs moist, cold stratification. The easiest way to do that is to plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep in a container with pre-moistened soil.

Does Winterberry have thorns?

The gardener will take any shrub that peaks in January, and the winterberry holly and its related hollies don't hold back. ... By late summer, the fruit is conspicuous even though the shrubs are smothered in pretty, elliptical leaves, free of the spines we associate with holly.

How poisonous is Winterberry?

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Leaves and berries are low toxicity.

Can chickens eat Winterberry?

Highbush cranberries, winterberry, wild grapes, & rose hips, will all be dried for their winter buffet. A good field guide for your area is really needed if you decide to go foraging.....but you should do it just to see the happy chickens!

What edible berries grow in winter?

Hawthorn berries can persist into the winter as can persimmons, mountain ash, wild plums (sloes) various edible Viburnum berries and Rumex seeds still on the stalk. Partridgeberries are a common winter find as is wintergreen, which has edible berries and leaves for tea.

What berry bushes attract birds?

Top 10 Berry Trees and Shrubs Birds Love

Eastern redcedar. Juniperus virginiana, Zones 2 to 9. ...
Firethorn. Pyracantha coccinea, Zones 5 to 8. ...
Winterberry. Ilex verticillata, Zones 3 to 9. ...
American cranberrybush. Viburnum trilobum, Zones 2 to 7. ...
Chokeberry. Aronia, Zones 3 to 9. ...
Crabapple. Malus, Zones 4 to 8. ...
Serviceberry. Amelanchier, Zones 3 to 9. ...
Hawthorn.

What birds eat holly berries?

Frugivores are birds that eat fruits and berries, and include: American robins, cedar waxwings, eastern bluebirds, hermit thrush, northern mockingbirds, gray catbirds and some other species that often associate with these flocks.

What shrubs attract birds?

Plant shrubs that have nectar-rich flowers that are good for insects in spring, and berries in autumn that attract birds, e.g. Berberis, hawthorn and spindle. Some shrubs should regularly be cut back to ground level - this can simulate a woodland glade and attract different species for a while.