A mature Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Foundation · Hedge · Mass planting · Pond · Riparian · Childrens · Native

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Winterberry Holly is a slow-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 6–12 ft × 6–12 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect yellow, green and white blooms in summer. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to deer and fire and salt.

USDA zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: High
Mature size: 6–12 ft × 6–12 ft
Growth rate: Slow
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color: Yellow, Green, White
Bloom season: Summer
Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds, Bees
Tough against: Deer, Fire, Salt, Wet soil
Toxic to: People
Native to: Central and eastern North America

Will it survive your winters?

We score Winterberry Holly’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9