Winter Red Holly

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.

Just as I had hoped

A couple of years ago, Larry stopped by the nursery to pick up some plants and showed me a Weeping Ginkgo he had in the back of the truck from his own garden center.  I had to have one.  Unfortunately, I forgot to ask how much.  A couple of weeks later, he dropped one off for me.  He was in a hurry and said I could pay later.  Again, I forgot to ask how much. 

 

When it arrived at home, my family couldn't understand why I bought a crooked tree.  My daughter thought it had personality.  My son assured me that we could stake it and with time it would grow straighter.  My husband was certain that it was one the nursery was throwing away because it was ugly and, therefore, it was free.  Fortunately, I still didn't know how much. 

Now, a couple of years later, the arching form drapes over a metal disc on the fence.  There are Bearded Iris along the base.  A bench is close by.  And, the Ginkgo's yellow fall foliage glows on sunny days. 

How much?  It turns out that it really didn't matter.  Not with a payment plan option.  Besides, it is just as I had hoped.