Description
Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ (female)
CT DR RG
Soil: Acidic, Well-drained
Light: Full to Part Sun
Moisture: Average to Wet
Plant Height: to 5 feet
Plant Width: to 5 feet
Pests: None
Landscape Value: Good for mass plantings, shrub borders, rain gardens, foundation plantings, or accent plants. Effective as a low hedge. Excellent for wet soils in low areas or along streams and ponds.
A stunning winter display! Slow-growing, compact, deciduous female shrub with glossy leaves that drop early in the fall. Inconspicuous white flowers, if pollinated, give way to profuse bright red berries that persist through winter providing great winter contrast. An early flowering male plant is required to produce fruit. Males can be planted some distance away (up to one mile), but the closer the male is to the female the more likely pollinators will visit both plants and pollinate the female flowers. Prune in early spring if needed. Berries provide winter food for songbirds. Prefers moist soil. Susceptible to yellowing of leaves in high pH (alkaline) soils. Tolerates clay soil, poorly-drained soil, air pollution, and salt. Attracts songbirds, butterflies and native bees.
2 gallon pot
