Ilex verticillata Seeds | Winterberry
LATIN NAME: Ilex verticillata
COMMON NAME: Winterberry
Plant Profile
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a distinctive species. Growth is steadily, plant forming a rounded crown that reaches 5-10 metres. It does well in sun or part shade and moist, rich ground. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the Ilex group, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Winterberry has a real and distinguished place in the research. Raising it from seed today is a matter of ordinary good practice rather than specialist skill.
Uses & Benefits
Winterberry works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, winterberry is a generous shrub of the garden. Its small, greenish-white flowers feed bees and insects, and its dense, brilliant, scarlet-red clusters of berries feed winter birds, while its fine, leafy crown gives a fine cover and a shelter to the birds. For a grower, winterberry is a rewarding and easy shrub, and for a gardener it brings a dense, brilliant, scarlet-berried shrub to winter garden. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.
The holly genus gives the world yerba mate and yaupon, caffeinated teas rich in antioxidants, and the Chinese Ku Ding Cha, an intensely bitter infusion studied for metabolic effects. Ornamental hollies have toxic berries and are for the birds.
Growing from Seed
Winterberry is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in partial shade. A spell of cool, moist conditions ahead of sowing brings the seed along nicely and supports even germination. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Winterberry settles in quickly once it finds its footing. A cool, moist period before sowing prepares the seed well; care after that is routine.
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