{"product_id":"red-sprite-winterberry","title":"Red Sprite Winterberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Native Holly Loaded With Brilliant Red Winter Berries\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Sprite Winterberry (\u003cem\u003eIlex verticillata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Red Sprite') is a compact, dwarf form of our native winterberry holly that delivers an outsized display — branches packed with large, glossy, brilliant-red berries that persist through fall and winter, glowing against the snow long after the leaves drop. A deciduous holly native to Minnesota wetlands, it feeds birds and supports pollinators. It's a four-season showpiece for rain gardens, moist borders, and winter-interest plantings in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRed Sprite Winterberry Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIlex verticillata 'Red Sprite'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 ft. tall, 3–5 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade (most berries in full sun)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly summer (small flowers); berries fall into winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall white flowers; brilliant red berries follow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, acidic; thrives in rain gardens and wet sites; tolerates clay\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 — a tough native\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompact selection of native winterberry holly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter interest and rain gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its glowing red berries are a highlight of the winter landscape, and it loves the moist soil of rain gardens and pond edges. Space 3–4 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife and native gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Birds feast on the berries and pollinators visit the flowers. Pair with native viburnums, dogwoods, and moisture-loving perennials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into moist, acidic soil. Keep consistently moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Red Sprite Winterberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost and peat to enrich and acidify. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 3–4 feet apart in a moist spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Red Sprite Winterberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. It dislikes drying out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide steady moisture; it thrives in wet sites and rain gardens. Water during dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Do I need a male pollinator for berries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — winterberry is dioecious. To get berries on this female plant, you need a compatible male winterberry (such as 'Jim Dandy') planted nearby for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it native?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — winterberry holly is a Minnesota native of wet woodlands and swamps, excellent for wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows, and the berries are at their best against winter snow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it evergreen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo — it's a deciduous holly; it drops its leaves in fall, which actually shows off the red berries beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Dandy Winterberry (Ilex verticillata):\u003c\/strong\u003e The compatible male pollinator to ensure berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Twig Dogwood (Cornus):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native shrub with red winter stems for moist sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Pussy Willow (Salix discolor):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native wetland shrub for rain gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54312987296049,"sku":null,"price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/red-sprite-winterberry.jpg?v=1779727885","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/red-sprite-winterberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}