Winterberry Shrub A Beautiful Addition to Your Garden for Year-Round Interest

Winterberry shrubs are in the same family as the English holly, the conventional Christmas holly with dark green foliage and vibrant red berries. They are deciduous and shed their muted green leaves in the fall, leaving several burgundy berries on each branch and stem. 

These appealing shrubs are found in eastern Canada but also grow in the south of the Canadian provinces, Virginia, and western regions of the U.S., particularly Michigan. The plant grows well in swampy areas and woodlands and can reach up to 15 feet in height. If you want to grow wildberry to decorate your landscape, the plant can be trained to reach about 12 feet. 

How to Care for Winterberry Shrubs Tips for Thriving Plants

It is suitable for hardiness zones 3-9. The plant needs full sunlight and prefers acidic, wet soil. It's best to plan the shrubs near a stream or pond, and they can be planted in dry soil and partial shade but will only spread a little. The plants attract songbirds. Thrushes, catbirds, cedar waxwings, and red squirrels eat the plant's berries. The shrub is disease-resistant but will develop leaf spots without proper tending. Be sure to plant both female and male plants to ensure the shrubs produce fruit. Plant the shrub close together, using one male plant for every three female plants. These shrubs look best near the end of summer, and the leaves and fruit last through most of the winter. During the summer, the shrub displays small, white flowers. 

Winterberry Shrubs for Birds Why They're Essential for Your Landscape

Several cultivars, including Winter Red, are ideal for cutting arrangements. Winter Red has medium-sized bright red berries and rich green leaves that turn bronze in the fall. Winter Gold is a beautiful choice as well, with pinkish-orange berries. If you're using it as a hedge, Red Stripe works well. The branches grow close together, and the plant grows up to five feet tall. The Afterglow cultivar is similar in height and has eye-catching orange-red berries.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Plant bare-root shrubs during the more excellent spring or fall months, from November through April. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root system and slightly more profound than its height. Position the shrub so that the top of the roots is level with the ground, and put back the soil dug over the roots. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, ensuring the mulch does not touch the shrub's stem. Water regularly, especially during the first year, to establish strong roots. Prune shrubs as needed to promote healthy growth. In the spring, fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer suited to the specific needs of the shrub.

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