Ilex verticillata Magical® Berry (Dwarf Winterberry Holly) Unity Grown

 Ilex verticillata Magical® Berry is an attractive dwarf cultivar of winterberry holly created by plant breeder Peter B. Kolster. Without the sharp-spined leaves of species like American holly, deciduous leaves unlike any evergreen holly varieties, Magical® Berry is instead best noted for its attractive orange-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. Although straight winterberry hollies may reach heights of up to 15', this cultivar's dwarf growth habit allows it a vase-like behavior to only 3-4' tall at maturity.

Overall an excellent and versatile pick for the home landscape, Magical® Berry 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 Magical® Berry is an attractive addition to any landscape, and has the ecological appeal to match, feeding butterfly larvae, pollinators, and birds all year long. As an all-female cultivar, Magical® Berry must be matched with a male pollinator cultivar like Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman' in order to produce berries; planting one male for every 6-10 females should suffice. 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.