American Holly and Winterberry Holly

When we think of holly, the picture that comes to mind is English Holly, Ilex aquifolium, with its shiny, spiny-toothed leaves and brilliant red berries. However, that species is not reliably hearty here in the Midwest. American holly, Ilex opaca, is a Missouri native holly that looks similar and is used as a substitute for English holly in landscapes — and Christmas decorations. Hollies notoriously need both male and female plants growing together for red berries to appear on female plants. 'Croonenburg' is a variety that will pollinate itself because it has male and female flowers on the same plant. ‘Canary’, I. opaca f. xanthocarpa, is a self-fertile American holly with yellow berries. Both reach heights of 15 to 30 feet and grow in full sun to part shade.

Winterberry holly, I. verticillata, also is a native holly, however, it is deciduous. And once its leaves drop, the berries seem to float among the branches like red soap bubbles — striking in the winter landscape. It is much shorter at 2 to 6 feet, and several cultivars have been developed that are shorter and have different colored berries. Winterberry is fond of wet areas though will tolerate different conditions once established. It grows in full sun to part shade. Winterberries are not self-fertile and will need a male pollinator — one for every 6 female plants. The also may sucker. Varieties shown here are ‘Red Sprite’, the smallest of the many cultivars that have been developed, and ‘Afterglow’. Many additional varieties are available.

American Holly

Winterberry Holly

Content by Jan Wiese-Fales. Photos by Chris Starbuck.