Winterberry, Southern Gentlemen #3
Winterberry, Southern Gentlemen
Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentlemen'
Height: Typically 6–8 feet tall
Spread: Approximately 5–8 feet wide
Spacing: Plant 5–8 feet apart for full coverage
Growth Rate: Moderate
Deciduous
Native to Michigan
Native to United States
Description
Winterberry Southern Gentlemen is a beautiful, upright male holly known for its essential role in supporting female winterberry varieties with pollination. While it doesn’t produce berries itself, it brings a satisfying, polished structure to the landscape with its deep green foliage and sturdy form. This selection offers a fresh, textural backdrop throughout the growing season and plays a key role in ensuring heavy berry production when planted near compatible female plants like Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ or ‘Berry Heavy’. Its tidy, multi-stemmed habit makes it a perfect choice for naturalized borders, hedgerows, or wetland edges where its structural elegance can truly shine.
General Care
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade
- Watering: Water regularly after planting to establish a strong root system and encourage consistent growth; once established, requires only occasional supplemental watering during extended dry periods
- Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture and moderate soil temperature
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain a clean shape and promote vigorous branching
With its upright structure, lovely foliage, and essential pollination role, Winterberry Southern Gentlemen is a fresh and functional addition to landscapes, delivering dependable support and a refined presence all season long.
