Little Goblin® Red Winterberry Holly

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

• Partial Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
• USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
• Height 3 - 5 Feet
• Spread 3 - 5 Feet

Compact form, supersized color: Little Goblin Red (Ilex verticillata ‘NCIV1’) tops out at just 3–5 feet yet loads each bare branch with oversized scarlet berries that hold through snow and ice. The glossy green leaves drop in autumn, turning the spotlight to fruit clusters that are easy to admire from the house or along a walkway. Unlike taller winterberries that outgrow foundation beds, this dwarf selection slips beneath windows and fits neatly in patio planters. Because the berries last for months, one shrub delivers a long season of natural décor.

Native to moist thickets from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast, Little Goblin Red laughs at cold down to Zone 3 and thrives in summer humidity farther south. Stems resist deer browsing and shrug off most pests, while the tight, mounded habit asks for almost no shaping. Tuck it into mixed borders for a pop of winter interest, mass several along a pond edge where soils stay damp, or drop a pair into porch containers beside evergreens for an instant holiday accent. Remember to add one male, Little Goblin Guy, within 50 feet to set the berry show.

Little Goblin® Red Winterberry Holly Care

Plant in full sun or light afternoon shade; fruiting is heaviest with six hours or more of direct light. Winterberry prefers acidic soil (pH 5.0–6.5) that stays consistently moist, so blend peat moss and compost into the planting hole if the site is heavy clay or very alkaline. Water deeply once a week the first year, then irrigate during droughts; plants growing near downspouts or rain gardens often need no extra help. Fertilizer is optional—an early‑spring application of a slow‑release, balanced product is plenty for good foliage and fruit.

Inside a container, choose a pot at least 16 inches wide with drainage holes and use a peat‑based mix; keep the root ball slightly damp but never water‑logged. In zones colder than 5, shift containers into an unheated garage or bury the pot to the rim to protect roots from freeze‑thaw cycles.

Pruning is limited to removing a few older canes every third spring or clipping berry‑laden branches for indoor displays—cut them back to a strong outward bud or down to the base. Skip routine shearing; flowers form on the previous year’s growth, and heavy trims will reduce next winter’s show. No winter wrap is required, though a light mulch of shredded leaves helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Little Goblin® Red Winterberry Holly Spacing

Allow 36–48 inches between plants for a solid knee‑high hedge or wildlife thicket; widen to five feet when mixing with perennials so each mound can stand alone. For ground‑cover drifts beside water features, set shrubs three feet apart in a staggered pattern. A single starter plant in a patio container should have at least five gallons of soil to fuel root growth and berry production.