Winterberry is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Only the female shrubs have berries. 'Southern Gentlemen' - This plant is a late-blooming male pollinator for 'Winter Red', 'Winter Gold', 'Capapon', 'Shaver', 'Sparkleberry' and other later blooming female clones. That's why it's advised that the male and females be no more than 50 feet apart from each other. Ilex verticillata . Plant one male for every three to five females. To produce the colorful berries, you will need a male and a female plant. Male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants (dioecious), occasionally on the same plant (monoecious), and rarely a plant will produce perfect flowers (both male and female parts). not rated $ 19.95 Add to cart. One will pollinate several females. Ilex verticillata are dioecious (translated as "two houses"), meaning there are distinctly separate male and female plants. Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011. This means that to get a beautiful, berry-covered winterberry holly, y ou must plant both a male and a female. Fortunately, you only need to plant one to pollinate up to five female plants. Allow one male for every three females. Ensure at least one male-flowering plant is within 100 feet of female-flowering shrubs. Look no further than the winterberry bush with its dazzling red berries. Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on December 12, 2017: I only see these occasionally in our area, even though they could grow in zone 5. The advantage of using the soft growing tips is that they develop roots very easily. While most plants are monoecious , with each plant containing both male and female parts, plants such as holly, blueberries , bittersweet , and asparagus require a mixture of male and female plants in order to pollinate and produce fruit and their enclosed seeds. 'Stoplight' (also known as 'Hopperton') - This is a newer selection with large, deep red fruit and glossy foliage on a 8' tall plant. Caren White (author) on January 26, 2020: Caroline, I don't know where you live or your growing zone so I can only give you a general answer. Once the leaves have fallen, the bright red berries are revealed. These are pistillate (female) flowers. Winterberry is a native deciduous shrub and requires a male and female plant for pollination. All rights reserved. Softwood cuttings are cuttings made in the spring or early summer when the plants are actively growing. Visit What's wrong with my plant? Tolerant of various soil types, they’re suitable for many different uses such as rain gardens and hedges. Although some plants may be tagged with their particular sex, this is rarely the case. Winterberry holly care does not require a male and a female plant, but you’ll need at least one of each in the vicinity if you want the signature red berries. The berries remain on the plant for several weeks to months through winter, as the birds tend not to be interested in them until they have softened considerably. Before you try the berries, it should be noted that they are poisonous. Only fertilized female flowers will produce the attractive red berries that are the signature of the species. Small white flowers line branches in mid-July. Only the female Winterberries will produce berries and they need a male Winterberry nearby to do so. Winterberry is a shrub that is related to holly. Only female shrubs can bear the decorative fruits that also provide food to famished songbirds. The word dioecious comes from the Greek word for two households. The flowers are relatively inconspicuous green-white in color and appear on new growth. Every time you transplant a plant, you risk damaging the roots. If properly pollinated the female plant will give way to a crop of bright red berries, 1/4″ in diameter in late summer to fall. Generally, a single male shrub can pollinate 6 to 10 female shrubs. Left a large portion of the oak tree, and the vine in the last year has flourished. Color(s): Red. Leaf undersides are white-hairy. Zone: 4-9 Height: 3-4 Feet Spread: 3-4 Feet. The flowers are relatively inconspicuous green-white in color and appear on new growth. Combination of interplanted male and female forms of the native deciduous Holly, bright green foliage drops shortly after berries appear, get show throughout winter. The term “small mammals” includes mice as well as larger animals like raccoons. Only female plants produce berries, and one or more male plants that bloom at the same time need to be growing within 50 feet of the females if you wish to see those bright berries on your shrubs. Flowers appear on new growth. The word dioecious comes from the Greek word for two households. They will grow in wet areas as well as normal soil. It doesn't look like a holly. Winterberry spreads by suckers and can form colonies. Viburnum, Blue Muffin™ A new compact selection of Arrowwood Viburnum! These flowers are known as staminate flowers. 'Jim Dandy' is a male plant and is generally grown only as a pollinator for certain female winterberry cultivars (e.g., I. verticillata 'Red Sprite'). Plants grown from cuttings should produce flowers the following year. Generally one male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 6-10 female plants. In the case of winterberry, it refers to two different types of plants being needed for fruit production. A plant that is near and dear to our hearts here at Winterberry, ... both male and female. Sunlight Exposure: Plant Attributes: Attracts: Plant Type(s): Flowering Shrub. This non-fruiting, male winterberry is primarily used as a pollinator. These are pistillate (female) flowers. Plants with no roots cannot grow new leaves. Just make sure that the bloom time of the male and female match up. The plants that produce the berries are female plants, so you must plant a male plant nearby for proper pollination. It is nearly impossible to distinguish the male and female holly bush prior to blooming. Once you see that the shrubs from which you want to take cuttings have leaves and new shoots, you can take your cuttings. Winterberry is host to the Henry’s Elfin Butterfly (pictured above). The male plant produces small, white pollen producing flowers. The flowers appear either singly or in small clusters along the stems. Leaf spots and powdery mildew occasionally occur. Each blossom has a green ovule in the center. Winterberry is known by many different names such as Black Alder, Brook Alder, False Alder, Canada Holly and Fever Bush. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009. Caren White (author) on December 12, 2017: It's probably a matter of local taste in landscaping whether or not winterberry are commonly seen. Pistillate flowers. This is not an easy task. Certain varieties of Winterberries are considered male, while others are female. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears. Thanks for reading and commenting and Happy Holidays to you too! When purchasing a female plant be sure to purchase the male variety that blooms at the same time. Male and female holly flowers grow on different plants. – Winterberry for a list of the most common winterberry pests in Minnesota. ‘Jim Dandy’ and ‘Southern Gentleman’ are male plants that pollinate the female winterberry. The fruits appear in September and persist until March/April if the birds haven’t already cleaned the plant bare. All flowers are about ¼ inch across with 5 to 8 white petals that are spreading to reflexed. This mimics the seeds natural environment which is marshy and wet. In the case of winterberry, it refers to two different types of plants being needed for fruit production. Therefore, for the best berry display, plant male and female plants together. NOTE: Both male and female plants are necessary to produce berries. Winterberry is a dioecious plant, which means there are separate male and female plants. Needless to say, it never grew very much, but once the oak had to be removed, it took off as it was in the sun. ‘Jim Dandy’ Winterberry Ilex verticillata 3-6' x 4-5' Male selection to pollinate Afterglow. Flowers on male winterberries appear in large clusters with several prominent yellow anthers protruding from the center of each blossom. Certain varieties of Winterberries are considered male, while others are female. Male winterberry plants produce no berries, however, and are often grown only to pollinate female plants. The holly plant is an example of a dioecious plant—one in which the male and female reproductive systems occur on separate plants. Male. Jill Spencer from United States on December 13, 2017: Lovely plant, lovely hub. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone then gently press it into moist soil in a container. Although it is often found growing in wetlands, it does just as well if not better in well drained garden soils found around most homes. – Winterberry. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009. The charts below show the co-pollinators for Winterberry, including some older varieties that you may have in your garden and want to pair, and pollination timing for some more popular varieties. Winterberry is a dioecious species, meaning female flowers and male flowers grow on separate plants. They also used the bark to treat cuts and bruises. Although it is often found growing in wetlands, it does just as well if not better in well drained garden soils found around most homes. If you see winterberry seeds for sale, check out the seller very carefully. Generally, a single male shrub can pollinate 6 to 10 female shrubs. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Male and female holly flowers grow on different plants. These are also native to North America. When purchasing a female plant be sure to purchase the male variety that blooms at the same time. Pruning is not an essential part of caring for winterberry holly shrubs. Winterberry spreads by suckers and can form colonies. The leaves are dark green turning to yellow in the fall. But it’s not just the berries that will attract wildlife. Winterberry Holly. The attractive red berries which are the signature of the winterberries are produced on female varieties such as 'Winter Red', if a male variety is nearby to provide pollen. ‘Jim Dandy’ Winterberry Ilex verticillata 3-6' x 4-5' Male selection to pollinate Afterglow. NOTE: Both male and female plants … Will also pollinate Red Sprite female, which we’ve offered other years. The paper towel method will work but the roots may be damaged when you transplant into soil. To get berries on a female plant, a male plant must be near. I put the seeds in a wet paper towel inside of a plastic bag into the refrigerator. They should be labelled at the nursery. For the best chance of pollination, site male plants no more than 50 to 100 feet away from the female winterberry shrubs. Generally, one male winterberry can pollenize up to ten female plants. Winterberry is dioecious, so both male and female plants are needed for fruit production. They need this period of cold to break dormancy. Flowers appear on new growth. Answer: Yes, winterberry has male and female plants. Anyway, thanks for sharing another informative hub about some lovely plants! Or, if you'd like to create a carefree hedgerow that's beautiful year-round, select our Winterberry Hedge, with three female plants and one male for pollination. Right now, they are dormant and won't root. But Winterberry Holly is unlike it's evergreen cousins. If not, you can tell them apart when they bloom in the summer. The leaves do fall off in the winter, leaving a show of just the berries in the winter against the background of snow. Now is the only time to tell the difference between male and female plants (besides if you have berries then you know you have a female). This is not an easy task. Therefore, it is oftentimes up to you to determine the difference. Female plants produce bright red berries in profusion in early fall while leaves are still green and remain until mid-winter. Since the roots support the foliage, no new growth will appear until the damaged/destroyed roots have been replaced. The shrubs range in height from 5 to 15 feet depending on the cultivar. Also great for birds and wildlife in the colder months once berries have ripened. You can plant your winterberry after the soil has thawed in the spring whenever that is in your area. The numbers of flower part is variable. Just make sure that the male is within 40 feet of the females. Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Also great for birds and wildlife in the colder months once berries have ripened. Winterberry is host to the Henry’s Elfin Butterfly (pictured above). Grows with an upright-rounded habit up to 6-10 ft. tall and wide (180-300 cm). Make sure that they are a trusted source for seeds before you purchase from them. Allow one male for every three females. If they are not eaten by wildlife, they will stay on the branches for most of the winter providing color to your yard during a season with little color. Question: I'm from central Maine. Generally one male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 6-10 female plants. Male. It is hardy in zones 3 through 9. Question: Why are there are no berries on my Winterberry bushes? Plant the male shrub in the back of the planting bed or nestled in the centre of a cluster of female plants that mask and overshadow the mundane male plant in fall and winter. Beyond 40 feet, one male will pollinate about four to five female plants. The plastic cover keeps in the moisture, preventing the soil from drying out. Question: Can I purchase female and male winterberry seeds? Jim Dandy "Jim Dandy" is a male-flowering winterberry that is needed to pollinate other early-spring blooming female winterberry plants. They can be grown from seed. May be pruned shorter. * The male and female plants must bloom at precisely the same time for the female to be receptive. You don’t need to purchase your plants in pairs. You can also propagate winterberry from softwood cuttings. Use in groupings or masses for maximum effect. Therefore, it is oftentimes up to you to determine the difference. Red Sprite winterberry plants are all female and would not produce their characteristic red fruits without first being pollinated by a male counterpart. Usually if they are planted within 40 feet of each other they will do just find. Ilex verticillata, the winterberry, is a species of holly native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada, from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Alabama.. Other names that have been used include black alder, Canada holly, coralberry, fever bush, Michigan holly, or winterberry holly.. If properly pollinated the female plant will give way to a crop of bright red berries, 1/4″ in diameter in late summer to fall. To ensure bountiful fruiting, High Line Gardeners have planted Ilex verticillata 'Jim Dandy’ in close … 1. The male shrub will have small flowers in clusters while the female shrub’s flowers will be more conspicuous and fewer in number. Looking for a way to jazz up your landscape during the winter? One will pollinate several females. Side by side would be ideal, but no closer than 8 to 10 feet on center so as to accommodate the natural spread of these plants. In autumn, female plants develop colorful berries where those tiny flowers bloomed. The male plant produces small, white pollen producing flowers. NOTE: Both male and female plants are necessary to produce berries. Both male and female plants produce flowers, but only fertilized flowers on female winterberry shrubs produce berries. This male variety is required for berry production on the females. Question: When are winterberries ripe/mature enough to harvest for propagation? To get berries on a female plant, a male plant must be near. At that point, the seeds will also be mature and ready to be planted. One male plant will be sufficient in pollinating 6-10 female plants. If the flowers are numerous and small, you have males. To make sure you get berries, we're sending you both. This plant is deciduous and native in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. The shrubs are deciduous, shedding their leaves in the fall. Because only fertilized female plants will produce a wonderful display of berries, it is crucial that there be at least one male winterberry plant in the area to allow for cross-pollination. Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating. Male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants (dioecious), occasionally on the same plant (monoecious), and rarely a plant will produce perfect flowers (both male and female parts). Its slender branches are draped with small but plentiful berries from base to tip. They need a period of cold stratification to mimic winter weather before they will germinate. When can I put it in the ground. It gets its name from the Christmas-red berries that develop from fertilized flowers and stay on the bare bush stems much of the winter. Because winterberry plants are bee pollinated, generally one male plant is recommended for every four to five female plants (if plants are relatively far apart). I plan to grow from cuttings. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears. I located bushes to cut but I'm unsure if they're male or female. Only female flowers fertilized by pollen from the correct male will produce the plant’s signature red berries. Clusters of small, white flowers in early to mid-summer, Red, orange, or yellow fruit in fall and winter, Soil pH 4.5 to 6.5 (acidic). Place the covered seeded container in your refrigerator for four weeks. The Southern Gentleman Holly is a tall male winterberry that is used to pollinate female winterberry plants. This one has 7-8 stamens and 7-8 petals on each flower. Moose, white tail deer, cotton tail rabbits and snowshoe hares will eat the stems and bark if no other food source is available. Pistillate flowers. Small white flowers line branches in mid-July. Winterberry grows wild in acidic soils in forested wetlands or along edges of ponds, lakes and marshes. (Ilex verticillata) is a native Minnesota shrub grown for its colorful and abundant fruit. Plants grown from seed should begin to produce flowers after three years. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears. You will know that your cutting has roots when new leaves appear. It prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils and tolerates wet sites. Only the female Winterberries will produce berries and they need a male Winterberry nearby to do so. Naturalists have counted 49 different species of birds that eat the berries. The seed needs moist, cold stratification. Winterberry is very easy to grow. Each blossom has a green ovule in the center. Winterberry is a native deciduous shrub and requires a male and female plant for pollination. Only female shrubs can bear the decorative fruits that also provide food to famished songbirds. Thankfully, via the hard work of bees, one male can pollinate up to ten females. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect. At a time of year when landscapes are looking bleak in colder climates, the bright red berries produced by Winterberries come to the rescue. One male plant will be sufficient in pollinating 6-10 female plants. The berries are an important food source during the winter when food is scarce. Plant several shrubs in a mass for wildlife food and habitat, or as a group of plants in the landscape. Will this paper towel method also work, or do the seeds need to be in soil? Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Ensure at least one male-flowering plant is within 100 feet of female-flowering shrubs. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009. This male variety is required for berry production on the females. Male/Female Combo Winterberry Deciduous Holly. You should check the soil periodically to make sure that it is not drying out. 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. Sold. To ensure color, a male pollinator should be planted near a female winterberry. It prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils and tolerates wet sites. Plant the male shrub in the back of the planting bed or nestled in the centre of a cluster of female plants that mask and overshadow the mundane male plant in fall and winter. Answer: Winterberry is almost always sold as a plant. All flowers are about ¼ inch across with 5 to 8 white petals that are spreading to reflexed. Like its holly cousins, it is dioecious with male and female plants. If you want your winterberry holly bushes to reproduce you need to plant a male and a female winterberry close enough to enable pollination. To produce berries, a male and female plant need to be in close proximity (100 feet or less). Match blooming times with a male pollinator like 'Jim Dandy' or 'Southern Gentleman' by planting one male (per 10-20 females) within 50 feet of female plants. Also, there are specific pollinators per female variety. Winterberry shrubs are perfect for a wildlife friendly yard. To ensure color, a male pollinator should be planted near a female winterberry. Generally one male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 6-10 female plants. Do the vines also need a male plant to produce berries? Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011. Winterberry provides seasonal interest in autumn and early winter when female plants are covered in red, orange or yellow fruit. Once the leaves have fallen, the bright red berries are revealed. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Winterberry holly is dioecious, which means each individual plant will bear either male or female flowers. One of the best plants for fall and winter color. Answer: The berries will be bright red when they are ripe. There is no precise answer regarding the maximum pollination distance between male and female winterberry plants, but we should be able to agree on a general range. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a slow-growing holly bush variety, native to North America. Ilex verticillata . Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female) plants. Beyond 40 feet, one male will pollinate about four to five female plants. What's wrong with my plant? If you are concerned about deer kill of your winterberries then plant a higher ratio of female to male winterberries in your yard. Winterberry bushes need both a male and a female bush to make berries. Once they have rooted, you can transplant them outdoors. Leaf undersides are white-hairy. Therefore, for the best berry display, plant male and female plants together. Jim Dandy "Jim Dandy" is a male-flowering winterberry that is needed to pollinate other early-spring blooming female winterberry plants. The perfect sized plant for residential landscapes. To make sure you get berries, we're sending you both. Happy Holidays. Wait to take your cuttings until after your last frost and the shrubs are actively growing. Plant the male within 50 feet of the female plants. Smooth green leaves are entire rather than notched in the typical holly fashion. This plant is deciduous and native in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. Growing native plants is always preferable to the exotics commonly found in most yards. May be pruned shorter. Roots have been damaged or destroyed. 2020 For the best chance of pollination, site male plants no more than 50 to 100 feet away from the female winterberry shrubs. Do I need to wait for flowers to ID or would you suggest trimming and labeling to the source to get a head start then use the ones I want and plant the rest elsewhere? Although they are poisonous to humans, dogs, cats and horses, birds and other small mammals love them. That includes not just the usual songbirds but also waterfowl and gamebirds. The male must be the same species as the female and bloom at the same time. One male plant will pollinate about 20 female plants to produce fruit when planted within 40 feet of each other. Winterberry is a host for the Henry’s Elfin butterfly (pictured above), and plays an important role for an interesting native bee called Colletes banksi, which makes a cellophane-like covering over their stored food to protect it for their larva. To encourage fruit production, plant at least one male bush for every four female plants. Noteworthy Characteristics. I think it's interesting that they're poisonous to humans, dogs, etc., but not to birds. Very few reputable seed sellers sell winterberry seeds. That's what "transplant shock" is. One male is enough to pollinate six to ten females. Their color is even more pronounced with a snowy white backdrop. Winterberry shrubs are dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male, or female. There are dwarf cultivars available. Ilex verticillata are dioecious (translated as "two houses"), meaning there are distinctly separate male and female plants. Flowers on male winterberries appear in large clusters with several prominent yellow anthers protruding from the center of each blossom. The flowers appear either singly or in small clusters along the stems. There will be no berries on this shrub. It usually grows in damp areas like swamps, thickets and along rivers and ponds. Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011. Amend the soil with compost or peat moss to hold moisture and add sulfur if your soil is alkaline. Answer: Oh dear, it sounds like you have all female or all male bushes. 'Southern Gentlemen' - This plant is a late-blooming male pollinator for 'Winter Red', 'Winter Gold', 'Capapon', 'Shaver', 'Sparkleberry' and other later blooming female clones. Answer: An easy way to tell if a winterberry shrub is male or female during the winter is to look for berries. Generally one male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 6-10 female plants. Caren White is a Master Gardener and instructor at Home Gardeners School. Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female) plants. Or, if you'd like to create a carefree hedgerow that's beautiful year-round, select our Winterberry Hedge, with three female plants and one male for pollination. Most gardeners who want to propagate these shrubs from seed either gather the seed from their own shrubs or get permission from another gardener who is growing winterberry to harvest seeds from those shrubs. It is adaptable to other soils as long as they are acidic and moist. It is nearly impossible to distinguish the male and female holly bush prior to blooming. But it will also grow just fine in regular soil. One male can service several females. The easiest way to do that is to plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep in a container with moistened soi. It is adaptable to other soils as long as they are acidic and moist. Because only fertilized female plants will produce the wonderful display of berries, it is crucial that there be at least one male winterberry plant in the area to allow for cross-pollination. If they are not eaten by wildlife, they will stay on the branches for most of the winter providing color to your yard during a season with little color. Also, when can I plant them on their own? Have your soil tested by the U of M Soil Testing Lab, Adaptable to many soil types - sandy, loam, or clay, Tolerates poorly-drained and compacted soils, Leaves may turn yellow when planted in soil pH is higher than 6.5, Leaf spots and powdery mildew late in the season; these are only cosmetic and non-fatal. Winterberry Holly. In autumn, female plants develop colorful berries where those tiny flowers bloomed. Though winterberry fruit is a food source for some wildlife, it can be poisonous to pets and people. Question: I planted a Winterberry years ago next to an oak tree. Zone: 4-9 Height: 3-4 Feet Spread: 3-4 Feet. Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011. The plants that produce the berries are female plants, so you must plant a male plant nearby for proper pollination. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth appears. Their color is even more pronounced with a snowy white backdrop to days! 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Large clusters with several prominent yellow anthers protruding from the Christmas-red berries that attract. The attractive red berries ensure color, a male and female plants experience outdoors hearts here at winterberry, both... From base to tip to propagate as they are acidic and moist produce berries to cut I... Needed to pollinate other early-spring blooming female winterberry Diseases, or other plant:! Habitat, or female plant you can transplant them outdoors way to do so to harvest for propagation never berries! Plants being needed for fruit production produce a lot of berries in profusion in early spring just new... Have counted 49 different species of birds that eat the berries for medicinal purposes via hard! At precisely the same time is marshy and wet ten female plants which we ’ ve offered other.. Winterberries are considered male, while others are female shrubs produce berries and they need male! The typical holly fashion: Attracts: plant Type ( s ): flowering shrub time of U.S.!