Winterberry (Bareroot)

Winterberry is a native deciduous shrub valued for its vivid red berries, dense branching, and strong seasonal color through the colder months. Offered as bareroot stock for late fall and early spring dormant planting, it can be a cost-effective option for larger plantings when planted correctly and given consistent watering during establishment. It is well suited to hedgerows, rain gardens, riparian plantings, and wetland edges.

Botanically known as Ilex verticillata, winterberry produces small flowers in early summer followed by abundant bright red fruit that persists into winter. Native across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, it is widely used for its ornamental impact and seasonal contribution to native landscapes.

Winterberry typically grows 6–12 ft tall with a similar spread, forming a dense, multi-stemmed shrub over time. It grows in full sun to part sun and establishes in a wide range of soils, including clay, sandy, mucky, or rocky planting areas, from well-drained to poorly drained conditions and in sites ranging from average moisture to wet when planted into a well-prepared site.

Winterberry fits well in hedgerows, wetland edges, rain gardens, and naturalized plantings where winter interest and wildlife support are priorities. It serves as a larval host for Henry’s elfin and pawpaw sphinx moth, while its berries feed birds such as cedar waxwing, American robin, and eastern bluebird through fall and winter. Bareroot stock is offered for late fall and early spring dormant planting.