
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
- 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.
Little Goblin® Red Winterberry Holly Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9 |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
Height: 3-5 Feet |
Spread: 3-5 Feet |
Spacing: 3-5 Feet |
Habit: Mounded |
Watering: Wet |
Shrub Type: Deciduous |
Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata 'NCIV1' USPP 27,109 |
Common Name: Little Goblin® Red Winterberry Holly |
Brand: Proven Winners ColorChoice® |
- SKU:
- ILELR
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!