Winter Red Winterberry-Holiday

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 10 Feet

Mature Spread

8 - 10 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

• Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
• Mature Height 8 - 10 Feet
• Mature Spread 8 - 10 Feet
• Growing Zones 3 - 8

Holiday Winter Red Winterberry delivers bold seasonal color with clusters of scarlet berries on a compact shrub that reaches about eight feet tall. As a deciduous holly, it will drop its glossy green leaves when the weather turns chilly, leaving bright red berries through the winter months. This eye-catching plant, also known as Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red,’ draws attention in holiday displays while maintaining long-lasting interest all season. Ideal for ornamental accents or a cheerful focal point, it outperforms artificial alternatives with living texture and color.

This fresh holly adds a natural touch to any holiday setting and offers the bonus of planting it outdoors once the festivities are over. It contributes to a healthier environment by releasing oxygen and providing shelter for wildlife when transitioned into the garden. Having a living winterberry on display can also bring a subtle sense of the outdoors inside, especially during colder months. Gift-givers appreciate that it’s more than mere décor—this shrub has a future beyond the holiday season.

Holiday Winter Red Winterberry Care

Keep this shrub in a bright spot with at least a few hours of bright sun each day, and water consistently so the soil stays lightly moist. If placed indoors, avoid extreme heat sources or drafty windows, and occasionally mist the foliage to maintain humidity. A cooler location can help the winterberry remain in good condition until it’s time to move it outside.

When the weather warms and the ground is workable, gradually move your holiday winterberry outdoors so it acclimates to brighter light. Select a planting site with well-draining, slightly acidic soil, and dig a hole that accommodates the root ball while placing the top at soil level. Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic matter, and then water deeply to settle everything in place. For best berry production next winter, locate a compatible male pollinator within range and continue moderate watering during dry spells.