Ilex verticillata Berry Poppins® is an excellent dwarf cultivar of winterberry holly produced by Proven Winners. Without the sharp-spined leaves of species like American holly, deciduous leaves unlike any evergreen holly varieties, Berry Poppins® is best noted for its attractive red berries in the fall and winter, and its small stature that allows it to fit anywhere in the garden. From spring into the summer, winterberry holly produces inconspicuous white flowers that attract many kinds of pollinators.
As an all-female cultivar, Berry Poppins® must be matched with a male pollinator cultivar like Ilex verticillata Mr. Poppins® to produce berries by planting one male per 5 females. Following successful pollination, this cultivar produces profuse, attractive, bright red berries that persist through the fall and winter, supporting bird populations and serving as an incredible addition to the winter garden.
Although straight winterberry hollies may reach heights of up to 15', this cultivar's dwarf growth habit allows it to reach only three to four feet when mature with a dense, globular shape. Overall a very versatile plant, Berry Poppins® is resistant to salt, wet soil, and deer damage, and can be used in rain, pollinator, and children's gardens as well as smaller spaces in the garden and low, seasonal hedges. Ilex verticillata Berry Poppins® is an attractive addition to any landscape, and has the ecological appeal to match.
(Photos courtesy of Proven Winners)