{"product_id":"afterglow-winterberry","title":"Afterglow Winterberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Shrub That Glows with Orange-Red Berries All Winter\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfterglow Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Afterglow') is a compact female winterberry that drops its leaves in fall to reveal a dense cloak of glowing orange-red berries that hang on through the snow. It's a Minnesota native, a magnet for winter birds, and one of the best four-season shrubs for our climate — just pair it with a male pollinator like Jim Dandy to set fruit. Whether you're lighting up a winter view in Edina, anchoring a rain garden in Woodbury, or feeding birds in a Maple Grove native bed — Afterglow earns its keep in zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAfterglow Winterberry Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIlex verticillata 'Afterglow'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinterberry, Winterberry Holly, Michigan Holly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 feet (compact, globe-shaped)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate — dense, rounded habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Heaviest berry set in full sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high. Loves consistent moisture and tolerates wet soil — excellent for rain gardens and low spots.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers moist, acidic soil. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and seasonally wet ground; avoid dry, alkaline sites.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — green leaves drop in fall, exposing the berries for maximum winter show.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Fully hardy across Minnesota.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; may be browsed in hard winters.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — supports native pollinators, winter birds, and the Lawns to Legumes program.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBerries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbundant orange-red berries, early fall through late winter. Needs a male pollinator (e.g., Jim Dandy) within ~50 feet.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAfterglow Winterberry Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWinter interest and four-season color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the leaves drop, the orange-red berries take over — glowing against snow from late fall well into winter. Plant Afterglow where you'll see it from a window, and cut a few branches for holiday arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRain gardens and wet spots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA native of Minnesota wetlands, Afterglow thrives where most shrubs struggle. Use it in a rain garden, downspout basin, or a low, soggy corner in Burnsville or Lakeville that stays wet in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBird and pollinator habitat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobins, cedar waxwings, and other birds feast on the persistent berries in late winter when little else is available, while spring flowers feed native bees. A standout for a Twin Cities habitat or Lawns to Legumes planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Afterglow Winterberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Afterglow Winterberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant a male pollinator nearby. To get berries, set a male winterberry (Jim Dandy) within ~50 feet — one male covers several females.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; acidic, organic-rich soil is ideal. Skip lime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt tolerates wet feet, so a low or rain-garden spot is fine — just avoid bone-dry, alkaline sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches off the stems. Do not use gravel mulch in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Afterglow Winterberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days; this moisture-lover would rather be too wet than too dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished winterberry still appreciates steady moisture — water deeply during any dry spell, especially in summer heat. In a rain garden or naturally moist spot, it often needs no supplemental water. Keep it on the damp side for the best berry crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk and run them long enough to keep the root zone consistently moist. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy isn't my Afterglow producing berries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt almost always comes down to pollination. Afterglow is female and needs a male winterberry (such as Jim Dandy) blooming nearby — within about 50 feet — to set fruit. One male can pollinate several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do the berries last?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom early fall into late winter. They persist on the bare branches for months, giving you color through the snow until birds finally clean them off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Afterglow survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily — winterberry is a Minnesota native hardy to zone 3, well below Twin Cities lows. No winter protection needed once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt strongly prefers consistent moisture and is one of the few shrubs that thrives in soggy, rain-garden conditions. It struggles in hot, dry, alkaline sites, so keep it moist and skip the lime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJim Dandy Winterberry — the male pollinator Afterglow needs to set its berries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRain Garden \u0026amp; Wet-Soil Plants — natives and tough shrubs for low, moist spots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Afterglow Winterberry Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a berry-laden mass or informal hedge, space Afterglow 4 feet on center — and remember to include one male \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jim-dandy-winterberry\"\u003eJim Dandy\u003c\/a\u003e for every 5–6 females, planted within 50 feet:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFemale Plants (4 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMales Needed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAfterglow Winterberry Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small white flowers in June feed native bees — these are the blooms a nearby Jim Dandy male must pollinate for fruit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, glossy green foliage forms a tidy 3–6 ft globe while green berries quietly size up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves drop early and the show begins — thousands of orange-red berries suddenly exposed on bare stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature season: berries glow against snow into late winter until robins and cedar waxwings strip them; cut stems hold up beautifully in holiday arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/jim-dandy-winterberry\"\u003eJim Dandy Winterberry\u003c\/a\u003e — the essential male pollinator; no Jim Dandy, no berries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sprite-winterberry\"\u003eRed Sprite Winterberry\u003c\/a\u003e — a dwarf female companion that Jim Dandy also pollinates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cardinal-dogwood\"\u003eCardinal Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — cherry-red native stems that double the winter color in the same moist soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/buds-yellow-dogwood\"\u003eBud's Yellow Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — yellow winter stems for a striking contrast behind the orange-red berries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Afterglow Winterberry Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfterglow thrives in moist-to-wet, acidic soil with at least half a day of sun — ideal for rain gardens, downspout basins, pond edges, and any low spot you can see from a winter window. Give it room for a male partner nearby. Not a fit if your site is dry and alkaline (chlorosis and sulking follow), or if you can't fit a Jim Dandy within 50 feet — without him there are simply no berries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54312947122481,"sku":null,"price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/afterglow-winterberry.jpg?v=1779727885","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/afterglow-winterberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}