Southern Gentleman Winterberry is a vigorous upright native deciduous shrub with a rounded habit and dark green foliage that turns yellow-green to purple-bronze in fall. A male holly that doesn’t produce fruit but acts as a pollinizer. Best planted in moist, slightly acidic well-drained soils. Hollies are dioecious and need both male and female plants to produce fruit. Tolerates wet, boggy conditions.
Ilex verticillata is a native food source for several animals and pollinators, and acts as a host for various moths and the Henry's Elfin Butterfly. While the wildlife enjoys the berries they are toxic to humans.
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Type: |
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Origins: |
Eastern N. America; north GA Native |
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Height: |
6' - 8' |
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Spread: |
6’ - 8' |
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Spacing: |
7’ |
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USDA Hardiness Zone: |
3 - 8 |
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Culture: |
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Bloom Color: |
White |
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Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Water regularly. Well-drained soils essential. Potential issues include mites, scale, leaf spot, rot, and mildew. Susceptible to leaf scorch or drop if not protected from afternoon sun in hotter climates.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Hedges, Foundation Plantings, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Azalea, Blueberry, Camellia
IMAGE: James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org, Ilex glabra 1120530, CC BY 3.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
