Common Winterberry - Ilex verticillata Young trees Will be available in 2026

Native Perennial small tree to all New England States.  Also called Winterberry Holly.  The leaves have sharp teeth like other hollies although they are not evergreen.  The blooms are white-light green and appear from April-July.  Grows 6-10ft in Height.  These small trees are either male or female , you must have both to have berries (typical of a holly).  A very winter hardy tree.  If you can't find both male & female plants, you may want to take a chance and plant a female and hope there is a male plant nearby.

Its name comes from the abundant shiny red berries it displays from late fall into the winter.  It can be found in its natural habitat which is: Swamps, Stream, river banks, Near lakes or ponds

Prefers: Full Sun, Part Shade to Shade, Acidic Moist-Wet-Dry (tolerates poor drainage), Sandy, Sandy Loam, Med Loam Clay to Clay.  

Grown from locally harvested seeds from Townsend, MA

Benefits: Critical food supply for birds in the winter and shelter, and nesting site.  Attracts: Bees, Birds & Butterflies (special value to honey bees)

Larval Host to Henry's Elfin Butterfly  https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Callophrys-henrici

Seeds harvested Townsend, MA (Private Property) Winter sown 2025