Wildfire™ Winterberry

Ilex verticillata Wildfire™ has multiple seasons of interest and high wildlife appeal. Commonly called Wildfire™ Winterberry, this shrub features pure white flowers in spring. In the fall, Wildfire™ produces large, pretty red berries that serve as food for birds in the winter. The branches can be cut to make cheerful holiday displays. The berries and flowers are offset by lush, dark green foliage. rThis is a female dwarf holly that has a compact, rounded form that reaches 6 – 7 feet high and 7 – 8 feet wide. To set fruit, it requires a male holly plant such as Jim Dandy or Southern Gentleman. It tolerates wet, boggy conditions, salt, and clay soil. It is deciduous and will lose its leaves in winter. Use it as a windbreaker hedge to attract birds, or upgrade your curb appeal with Wildfire™ in a foundation planting or along your driveway.rWildfire™ Winterberry CarerThis shrub prefers full to partial sun positions. It tolerates a variety of soil types including compacted soil and boggy conditions. It requires an acidic pH between 5 – 6 and may languish in alkaline soils. Water Wildfire™ regularly during the growing season for best performance and to establish a strong root system. Topdress the root zone with a layer of organic compost. Fertilizer is not necessary to keep this shrub healthy and happy. rWildfire™ does not need to be pruned; however, you can lightly shape it in early spring with pruning clippers.rWildfire™ Winterberry SpacingrTo create a tight hedge of this winterberry, space these shrubs approximately 6 feet apart, center on center. Increase the spacing to 8 feet apart if a gap between shrubs is desired.rrWildfire™ Winterberry InformationrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 – 8rrrPlant Type: BushesrrrLight Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)rrrMature Height: 6 – 7 FeetrrrMature Spread: 7 – 8 FeetrrrSpacing: 7 – 8 FeetrrrHabit: UprightrrrFlower Color(s): WhiterrrFlower Description: rrrBloom Period: rrrFoliage Type: DeciduousrrrFoliage Color(s): GreenrrrFoliage Description: Dark GreenrrrSeasonal Interest: 4 Season InterestrrrWatering: AveragerrrResists: DeerrrrTolerates: Drought, SaltrrrAttracts: BirdsrrrContainer Role: rrrUses: Borders, Hedges & Privacy, Mass Planting, Wetland Areas & Ponds, Wildlife GardensrrrFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Low MaintenancerrrBrand: First Editions PlantsrrrCommon Name: Wildfire™ WinterberryrrrOther Name(s): rrrScientific Name: ILEX VERTICILLATA `WILDFIRE`