Images Depict Mature Plants
Red Sprite Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'
Red Sprite Winterberry Holly offers vibrant red berries that provide striking winter interest and attract birds, making it an ideal addition for year-round garden beauty. Its compact size and low-maintenance nature make Red Sprite Winterberry perfect for small spaces, foundation plantings, or mixed borders.
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Red Sprite Winterberry Shrubs for Sale Online
Red Sprite Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite') is a compact, deciduous shrub renowned for its striking bright red berries that last throughout the winter, providing vibrant color to your garden during the dormant season. Growing to a height of just 3 to 4 feet, Red Sprite Winterberry is ideal for small garden spaces, foundation plantings, or mixed borders. The berries are visually appealing and serve as a valuable food source for birds, adding aesthetic and ecological benefits to your landscape. With its tidy, rounded growth habit and stunning winter interest, Red Sprite Winterberry Holly makes a perfect addition to any garden setting, creating an eye-catching display of color when most other plants have gone dormant.
For successful berry production, it is essential to plant a compatible male pollinator nearby. Red Sprite Winterberry Holly requires a male pollinator, such as Jim Dandy Winterberry Holly, which blooms at the same time and will ensure a good berry set on the female plant. Ideally, plant one Jim Dandy for every three to five Red Sprite shrubs to provide effective pollination. Ensure the pollinator is planted within 50 feet of the female holly to maximize pollination success. Both Red Sprite and Jim Dandy thrive in USDA zones 4-8, and they prefer moist, slightly acidic soil, making them suitable for rain gardens, wet areas, or along pond edges.
Red Sprite Winterberry Holly is low-maintenance and highly adaptable to different growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade. This shrub tolerates wet soils and can thrive in locations where many other plants struggle. It provides excellent winter interest with its vibrant berries that persist even after the leaves drop. Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, to maintain its compact form and encourage abundant flowering and berry production. By incorporating Red Sprite Winterberry Holly into your garden, you can enjoy its vibrant winter color, attract birds, and create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly landscape year-round.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Classification: | Deciduous shrub |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Habit: | Deciduous, densely branched |
| Flower Color: | White but inconspicuous |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges a deep dark green, changing to a golden yellow in the fall |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil but will tolerate “wet feet” |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting. Provides unmatched winter interest especially when planted in front of a contrasting backdrop |
How to Care for Red Sprite Winterberry Holly
Before you buy an Red Sprite Winterberry Holly, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep your Holly healthy and thriving.
How Do I Plant A Red Sprite Winterberry Holly?
To plant a Red Sprite Winterberry Holly, begin by selecting a location that receives full sun to partial shade, as full sun will promote the best berry production. Red Sprite Winterberry Holly thrives in moist, slightly acidic soil, making it ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, or other areas that tend to stay damp. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, which will allow the roots to spread and establish easily. Position the shrub in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with a mixture of native soil and organic compost to enrich the soil, and water thoroughly after planting to help settle the roots. For successful berry production, it's crucial to plant a compatible male pollinator, such as Jim Dandy Winterberry Holly, within 50 feet of the Red Sprite. This ensures proper cross-pollination, which is required for berry development. Space Red Sprite Winterberry Hollies about 3 to 5 feet apart if planting as part of a hedge or mixed border, allowing enough room for their mature spread while maintaining a dense, attractive look. Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth. Make sure to water consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system, particularly if planted in drier soil. With the right planting conditions and care, Red Sprite Winterberry Holly will thrive, offering brilliant red berries that create stunning winter interest in your garden.
How Do I Water A Red Sprite Winterberry Holly?
To properly water a Red Sprite Winterberry Holly, it is important to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year after planting to help establish a healthy root system. Red Sprite Winterberry prefers moist, slightly acidic soil, making it suitable for rain gardens and areas that retain moisture. Water the shrub deeply once a week, ensuring that the water reaches a depth of about 6 to 8 inches, which encourages deep root growth and enhances drought tolerance over time. During periods of high heat or drought, increase the watering frequency to prevent the soil from drying out completely, as consistent moisture is crucial for the plant's health and optimal berry production. Applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and regulate soil temperature. Once established, Red Sprite Winterberry Holly is relatively tolerant of occasional dry periods but still prefers moist soil for producing abundant berries. During prolonged dry spells, supplemental watering every 10 to 14 days will help maintain its vibrant green foliage and encourage prolific berry production in the fall. Regularly check the soil moisture by digging a few inches down—if the soil feels dry, it is time to water. Be careful not to overwater, as waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, which can affect the plant's health. By maintaining consistent watering practices, your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly will thrive, ensuring a beautiful display of bright red berries that will add winter interest and attract birds to your garden.
How Do I Fertilize A Red Sprite Winterberry Holly?
To fertilize a Red Sprite Winterberry Holly, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just before new growth starts. A fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or a fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants works best for promoting healthy growth, lush foliage, and vibrant berry production. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the shrub, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to avoid root burn. Once applied, water the area thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the root zone and support the plant's overall health. This spring feeding will provide the essential nutrients that your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly needs to produce abundant berries that add bright winter interest to your garden. If your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly is planted in nutrient-poor soil, consider adding an additional light feeding in mid-summer to boost its health. An organic compost or well-rotted manure can also be applied around the base of the shrub as a natural fertilizer that improves soil structure and provides a slow, steady supply of nutrients. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to rapid, weak growth and reduced berry production. To ensure that your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly produces an abundance of bright red berries, plant a compatible male pollinator like Jim Dandy Winterberry Holly nearby, which will aid in cross-pollination. By following a proper fertilization schedule and maintaining healthy soil conditions, your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly will thrive, providing beautiful, wildlife-friendly winter color.
How Do I Prune A Red Sprite Winterberry Holly?
To prune a Red Sprite Winterberry Holly, start by performing light pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This timing allows the shrub to recover quickly and encourages healthy, vigorous growth throughout the growing season. Begin by using clean, sharp pruning shears to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, which will help improve air circulation and prevent pest or disease issues. Since Red Sprite Winterberry Holly has a naturally compact form, it generally requires minimal shaping—just enough to maintain an attractive, uniform appearance. Removing any crossed or crowded branches will also help open up the center of the plant, allowing more light to reach the interior, which encourages better berry production. If Red Sprite Winterberry Holly is being used in a formal hedge or garden border, light trimming throughout the growing season may be needed to maintain the desired shape and size. However, avoid heavy pruning during late summer or fall, as this could lead to new growth that may not harden before winter, increasing the risk of frost damage. To encourage a fuller look and maximize berry production, selectively prune stems to promote branching, which will lead to more flowers and eventually more berries. Always remember that Red Sprite Winterberry Holly is a dioecious plant, meaning it requires a nearby male pollinator like Jim Dandy Winterberry Holly for berry production, so make sure not to prune away all of the pollinating stems if they are present. With proper pruning, your Red Sprite Winterberry Holly will maintain its lush, compact shape and produce a beautiful display of bright red berries each winter.
