Being a transplanted Southerner, I am just now beginning to appreciate the "bareness" of the Midwest winter landscape. However, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a row of leafless bushes with branches completely covered in bright red berries. I need this color in my winter border and
holiday decoration. Could you identify some local shrubbery (obviously these were not hollies) that would have these berries?
The plant you are seeing is winterberry, Ilex verticillata, a deciduous holly. There are several cultivars of this plant, with the most colorful and prolific berry-producer being 'Winter Red'. The berries persist into January or later depending on cultivar. Both a male and female cultivar are needed for fertilization of flowers and fruit set.
Thank you.
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