Yesterday afternoon the sun was shining and, while out tagging trees for an order, the Winter Red Hollies caught my eye. These hollies, in a #3 container, have been in this location at the nursery for a couple of months. Now that the foliage has dropped for the winter, the fruit really stands out. I loved the contrast of the bright red fruit against the stone wall. The shadows were an added bonus!
Winter Red, Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red', is a deciduous holly with green leaves all summer long and colorful fall foliage. It matures 8-10 x 8' and is pollinated by Southern Gentlemen (available in a #3 container).
Remembering that we also have ball and burlap Winter Red Hollies, I stopped by the b&b shrub block on the way back to the office. They were even more spectacular!
Deciduous hollies can be used for screening or as a specimen plant for a location needing some winter interest. The persistent fruit will attract songbirds to the garden. They do best planted in sites with full sun to partial shade and adequate moisture.
Here's another article on hollies:
Boy Holly + Girl Holly = Fruit?
Selecting the correct pollinating Winterberry Holly is important for fruit production.
Here in Central Texas we love Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) and Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria). I think the Possumhaw looks quite similar to your Winter Red, though the Possumhaw's berries are more of an orange-red to red. And of course, the birds love them!
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