.Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Beginning to Bloom 6/22

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 (will be ready in a couple years)

And Bare roots from WCD 

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 available 2026

Limited quantity 2y+ young plants