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Winterberry

Female. Deciduous. Bright red berries in autumn. I. verticillata are among the most striking of any of our native plants for the profusion and brilliance of their fruit from fall through winter. Berries are spectacular against a snowy setting. Requires a male pollinator for fruit set. Flowering occurs in late spring, and while the ivory colored flowers are not conspicuous, they are slightly fragrant. Coloring of the berries begins with the first frost, contrasts attractively with the yellow fall foliage and intensifies with increasing cold. Because new growth produces the flowers, heavier fruiting is actually enhanced by cutting back the branches in the fall/winter of the previous year. Although many of these cultivars seem to be well pollinated by native males in the woodlands, we recommend that a male plant be located within a hundred feet to assure best fruiting on female plants. Birds ultimately consume the berries, but usually not until after January in this region.

Slow-growing, deciduous, suckering shrub with an upright rounded habit. Lustrous dark green leaves. Excellent in a mass planting, shrub border, and at waterside. Native to swampy areas, tolerates wet soils. Does well in light and heavy soils. Prefers moist, acidic, high organic matter soils; will develop chlorosis in high pH soils. Adaptable to seashore conditions. Full sun (where flowering will be best) to part shade.