Ilex verticillata’ Nana’ (but also fondly known as ‘Red Sprite’)
by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010
This is a well rounded small slow growing female shrub that is truly an easy addition to the landscape and a real end of season show off! Although her common name winterberry is easy to remember, it is important to note her profuse red berries are extremely attractive in fall AND winter, (perhaps we should start a renaming campaign for Fallberry! Never mind, I am tired of all campaigning!!!!)
Her most notable feature is the way her framework is truly berry “laden.” It is hard to imagine how so many berries can develop so close together! Her simple green leaves are very pleasant but they are easily forgotten once they slip to the ground exposing her “berry nice” branches. She is truly worth remembering!
She is never a messy shrub. Her berries remain intact and attractive well after the winter holidays. Eventually after several freeze / thaw cycles, the berries become a slightly softened treat for hungry song birds.
Ilex verticillata’ is a perfect choice for foundation planting or low hedging. Place her where ever compact mature height is a consideration but maximum impact is a necessity!
She is a selection of our Missouri native holly, so she is happy with average soil and variable moisture levels. This deciduous holly (remember this means she drops her leaves) naturally tolerates sites with drainage issues. Choose her where “pretty” is important, habitat friendly is desirable and where soil erosion might become a problem. She is perfect for rain gardens, but she is also fairly drought tolerant, once establish!
She does produce flowers but they are relatively inconspicuous to everyone except her male companion I. ‘Jim Dandy. He needs to be planted near by to insure good pollination and profuse berry production. Generally only one male winterberry is needed for pollinating 9-10 female 'Nana' plants.
Care Factor Rating: 2 Winterberry must be watered regularly till established. She does not require pruning when given adequate space! Flowers and berries develop on the new growth so gently prune her to shape in the early spring before new growth appears. Never ever remove more than 1/3 of the total growth on any shrub. at any time! (If you are having to do this- you have a misplaced shrub!) Otherwise remove only the occasional damaged or dead branch any time of the year.
This is a well rounded small slow growing female shrub that is truly an easy addition to the landscape and a real end of season show off! Although her common name winterberry is easy to remember, it is important to note her profuse red berries are extremely attractive in fall AND winter, (perhaps we should start a renaming campaign for Fallberry! Never mind, I am tired of all campaigning!!!!)
Her most notable feature is the way her framework is truly berry “laden.” It is hard to imagine how so many berries can develop so close together! Her simple green leaves are very pleasant but they are easily forgotten once they slip to the ground exposing her “berry nice” branches. She is truly worth remembering!
She is never a messy shrub. Her berries remain intact and attractive well after the winter holidays. Eventually after several freeze / thaw cycles, the berries become a slightly softened treat for hungry song birds.
Ilex verticillata’ is a perfect choice for foundation planting or low hedging. Place her where ever compact mature height is a consideration but maximum impact is a necessity!
She is a selection of our Missouri native holly, so she is happy with average soil and variable moisture levels. This deciduous holly (remember this means she drops her leaves) naturally tolerates sites with drainage issues. Choose her where “pretty” is important, habitat friendly is desirable and where soil erosion might become a problem. She is perfect for rain gardens, but she is also fairly drought tolerant, once establish!
She does produce flowers but they are relatively inconspicuous to everyone except her male companion I. ‘Jim Dandy. He needs to be planted near by to insure good pollination and profuse berry production. Generally only one male winterberry is needed for pollinating 9-10 female 'Nana' plants.
Care Factor Rating: 2 Winterberry must be watered regularly till established. She does not require pruning when given adequate space! Flowers and berries develop on the new growth so gently prune her to shape in the early spring before new growth appears. Never ever remove more than 1/3 of the total growth on any shrub. at any time! (If you are having to do this- you have a misplaced shrub!) Otherwise remove only the occasional damaged or dead branch any time of the year.
This is a cane shrub that spreads by increasing from the crown / base by producing new shoots from the base annually. This makes her a perfect choice for hedge use or screening. If her individual personality is to remain defined, consider limiting the basal area / spread of this shrub in early spring before the leaves develop. In drier garden soils, she tends to form a tight well defined clump with some basal sprouting that can easily be removed at pruning time.
There are many hybrid cultivars and normal genetic variation available on the market today and more being introduced every year so be sure to do some research and check with local experts for cultural details for this area ! This plant can range in heights from 3 feet to15 feet depending on specific selections. The width of the plant is also variable.
Here are some of my other favorite cultivars. I have included their links:
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' - winterberryIlex verticillata - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Afterglow' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Cacapon' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Maryland Beauty' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE - winterberry Plant of Merit Ilex verticillata 'Spriber' BERRY NICE - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Winter Gold' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Winter Red' - winterberry
image curtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
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