Ilex verticillata Magical® Winter Jewel (Dwarf Winterberry Holly) Unity Grown

 Ilex verticillata Magical® Winter Jewel is an attractive dwarf cultivar of winterberry holly; without the sharp-spined leaves of species like American holly, winterberry holly instead has deciduous leaves and is instead best noted for its attractive red berries in the fall and winter. The Magical® Winter Jewel cultivar is also well regarded for its small stature, allowing it to fit anywhere in the garden. 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. From spring into the summer, winterberry holly produces inconspicuous white flowers that attract many kinds of pollinators. As an all-female cultivar, Magical® Winter Jewel 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.

Overall an excellent and versatile pick for the home landscape, Magical® Winter Jewel 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® Winter Jewel is an attractive, eye-catching addition to any landscape, and has the ecological appeal to match, feeding butterfly larvae, pollinators, and birds all year long.