{"product_id":"winter-red-holly-bush","title":"Winter Red Holly Bush","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel md-content enable-luminous-fast-follows enable-updated-hr-color tutor-markdown-rendering\" style=\"--animation-duration: 400ms; --fade-animation-function: ease-out;\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_1cbe1057c8b736ae\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIlex verticillata 'Winter Red'\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Winter Red Holly is a magnificent, female deciduous shrub celebrated for its spectacular display of dense, brilliant red berries that persist throughout the stark winter months. Unlike evergreen hollies, this native beauty drops its leaves in autumn, dramatically revealing a branching structure densely packed with vibrant crimson fruit that instantly brightens any dormant landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn late spring, unassuming small white blossoms appear along the stems, quietly setting the stage for the autumn and winter show. By the time fall arrives, the foliage transitions to a subtle yellowish-green before dropping, leaving behind countless clusters of glowing berries that provide an essential feast for wildlife when all other food sources have vanished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinter Lifeline:\u003c\/b\u003e Serves as a critical seasonal food source for over forty species of native birds and small mammals during the harshest winter months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinator Magnet:\u003c\/b\u003e Produces subtle spring flowers that attract native bees, beneficial wasps, and various other pollinators looking for early-season nectar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eErosion Control:\u003c\/b\u003e Features a sturdy root system well-suited for stabilizing moist soil along stream banks, pond edges, and low-lying natural drainage areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHabitat Provider:\u003c\/b\u003e Offers dense structural thickets that give songbirds a secure, protected environment for nesting and escaping predators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Unmatched winter color impact, exceptional hardiness, incredible tolerance for heavy wet soils, and high resistance to common plant diseases and deer pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e As a female selection, it requires a compatible male pollinator (such as 'Southern Gentleman') planted within close range to ensure heavy berry production. It will not produce fruit on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e Winterberry Holly, Winter Red Holly, Black Alder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 6-10 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 6-10 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Slow to moderate (12-24 inches per year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e 30-50 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 3-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade (best berry production in full sun)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Moist, acidic, rich soils; highly tolerant of heavy clay and standing water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Strongly acidic to neutral (4.5-6.5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e High; prefers consistently moist, boggy, or poorly drained conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Small greenish-white; late spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Abundant bright red berries (drupes) on female plants; autumn through winter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e * Southern Gentlemen, Jim Dandy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Upright, rounded, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 5-7 feet apart for a solid hedge or screen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Rain gardens, winter interest gardens, border plantings, native hedgerows, damp woodland edges\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Low (occasional shaping or structural pruning in late winter)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Water deeply and regularly right after planting, ensuring the soil remains consistently damp and never dries out completely during the first growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Select a location with full sun or light shade and moist, organically rich soil. It excels in low spots or rain gardens where other plants might struggle with excess water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Spread a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded pine bark, around the base to help retain soil moisture and naturally maintain the soil acidity it prefers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Monitor moisture levels closely during dry spells. Once established, it handles seasonal flooding effortlessly but needs supplemental watering during extended summer droughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Prune in late winter before new growth emerges if you need to shape the plant or remove any dead wood. Keep in mind that heavy pruning will temporarily reduce the next season's berry crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Feed in early spring with an acid-loving slow-release fertilizer if your native soil lacks organic fertility, though a rich layer of compost is usually more than sufficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"12-15\"","offer_id":52141393903911,"sku":"ST72D15","price":37.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/HOLLYWINTERRED16_b228f1a3-629f-46ed-a86d-844836e01f50.jpg?v=1790034614","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/winter-red-holly-bush","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}