Winterberry is a relatively insignificant woodland plant until its brilliant red berries light up the winter landscape. It is a native shrub of eastern wetlands and provides excellent habitat for songbirds.
Latin Name
Ilex verticillata
Family
Aquifoleaceae
Also Known As
Swamp Holly Brook Alder
Type of Plant
Shrubs
Seasons
Fall
Winter
Specifications
Max Height: 12'
Max Spread: 12'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Part Shade
Tolerances
Attracted Wildlife
Birds
Toxicity
Do not ingest
Colors
Native Range
Eastern North America
History
In a January 1785 diary entry, Washington remarked, "I discovered in tracing it upwards many small & thriving plants of the Magnolio and about & within the Fence, not far distant, some young Maple Trees; & the red berry of the Swamp."
Other Details
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
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