Red Sprite Holly, also known as Winterberry, (Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite') is a compact ornamental deciduous shrub. Plant a few in a naturalized area of your landscape or perhaps one at the border of a perennial bed where the winter color can pick up where the bright summer flowers left off.
Hollies are the queens of the fruiting shrub world when ranked for ornamental value, and your Red Sprite is no exception. The fruiting branches on the bare stems are great for decoration in the garden or in the house.
These red-fruited, Winterberry Holly grow in an upright rounded habit. A wonderful dwarf shrub, these work in a wide range of climates around the states. Extremely attractive, even in the winter landscape. Birds and admirers will be flocking to the bright, shiny red berries that will be smothering this plant!
White flowers in spring then, the deep green foliage on the shiny green plant provides fall color when it transforms into purple/bronze in autumn. Pruning is best done during late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, that way you won't miss the white blooms in spring or those amazing berries!
Once these deciduous Holly leaves fall in the autumn, you'll be treated to the amazing bright red berries throughout the fall and winter. One Jim Dandy male Holly will pollinate several Red Sprites, however without a male pollinator, you may not see any fruit set.
