Red Sprite Winterberry

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'

Pronunciation: EYE-leks ver-tiss-ih-LAY-tuh
SKU #04575
4-8

Good to grow! 7

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OVERVIEW
Description A profusion of bright red berries on this hardy deciduous shrub will brighten the winter landscape and provide food for overwintering birds. Use as foundation color, for a natural hedge, or in a shrub border for seasonal interest. An early-flowering male pollenizer such as Jim Dandy Winterberry is required for berry set.
Light Full sun, Partial sun
Watering Keep soil moist to wet.
Blooms Inconspicuous spring flowers.
Mature Size Slow growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide.
DETAILS
Deciduous/Evergreen Deciduous
Special Features Ornamental Berries, Benefits Birds
Problems/Solutions Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant, Very Wet Areas, Tolerates Urban Pollution, Road Salt Tolerant
Growth Rate Slow
Growth Habit Rounded
STYLE
Landscape Use Barrier, Border, Hedge
Design Ideas This native deciduous Holly requires a pollinator for a beautiful winter display of berries set on bare branches. Plant as specimens in the landscape, where the bright red won't have competition. Great at corners of fences, around woodland gardens or in the all-native landscape. Good for the bird-friendly garden.
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Green
Companion Plants Lily of the Valley (Pieris); Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Magnolia (Magnolia); Hydrangea (Hydrangea); Mountain Laurel (Kalmia)
CARE
Care Provide organically rich, acidic, moist, loamy soil; tolerates wet, heavy soils. Water deeply, regularly in first few growing seasons to establish root system; once established, water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil. Feed and prune annually to shape before new growth emerges in late winter to early spring.
HISTORY
Lore Ilex verticillata is native to eastern North America where it is typically found in low elevation wooded areas, along ponds and streams, and in damp thickets, and swamps. Ilex verticillata are dioecious (translated as "two houses"), meaning there are distinctly separate male and female plants. The attractive red berries which are the signature of the winterberries are produced on female varieties such as 'Red Sprite' if a male variety (such as 'Jim Dandy') is planted nearby to provide pollen. Generally, one male winterberry can pollenize up to ten female plants. 'Red Sprite' is an early-blooming winterberry that produces female flowers in spring and is best partnered with a correlating early-blooming male winterberry.

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We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.