This suckering shrub to small tree has spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has bright-green oval leaves that turn yellow in autumn and the white cup-shaped flowers appear during mid-spring followed by persistent rounded dark red berries.

Hardiness zones 3 to 9 

Ilex verticillata is naturally found in eastern North America growing in well drained moist to very moist rich soils in a open sunny position and is drought tender but frost tolerant.

Winterberry is a small tree that normally forms a shrub under cultivation and is grown for its bright persistent berries. It is planted as a specimen or in shrub borders in parks and gardens. It is suitable for mountain or coastal regions and establishes in 3 to 5 years. It is also used in woodland gardens for autumn colour and is a hardy plant that tolerates cold conditions. ID 1583

Ilex (EYE-lecks) verticillata (ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh)

Aquifoliaceae (a-kwee-foh-lee-AY-see-ee)