Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Ilex verticillata
Source: Nicholas A. Tonell
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image of Deciduous Tree
Ilex verticillata
Common Winterberry
Houx verticillé

Synonyms

black holly
Virginia winterberry
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: Jun - Jul
Max Height: 10.0 feet
Max Width: 5.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year Plant is dioecious Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Acidic Soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Ilex verticillata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Ilex verticillata

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Ilex verticillata

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Pachysandra terminalis).1 (Japanese Pachysandra)
  • Berberis (Barberry)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Warm moist stratify 60d, then cold moist stratify 60d. Best planted outdoors in fall.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.