Red Sprite Winterberry
Red Sprite Winterberry
A Compact Native Holly Loaded With Brilliant Red Winter Berries
Red Sprite Winterberry (Ilex verticillata '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.
Red Sprite Winterberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' |
| Mature Size | 3–5 ft. tall, 3–5 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade (most berries in full sun) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer (small flowers); berries fall into winter |
| Flower Color | Small white flowers; brilliant red berries follow |
| Soil | Moist, acidic; thrives in rain gardens and wet sites; tolerates clay |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F — a tough native |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
| Native Status | Compact selection of native winterberry holly |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Winter interest and rain gardens: 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.
Wildlife and native gardens: Birds feast on the berries and pollinators visit the flowers. Pair with native viburnums, dogwoods, and moisture-loving perennials.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into moist, acidic soil. Keep consistently moist.
How to Plant Red Sprite Winterberry
Dig 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.
Watering Red Sprite Winterberry
First year: Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. It dislikes drying out.
After year one: Provide steady moisture; it thrives in wet sites and rain gardens. Water during dry spells.
Q: Do I need a male pollinator for berries?
Yes — winterberry is dioecious. To get berries on this female plant, you need a compatible male winterberry (such as 'Jim Dandy') planted nearby for pollination.
Q: Is it native?
Yes — winterberry holly is a Minnesota native of wet woodlands and swamps, excellent for wildlife.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows, and the berries are at their best against winter snow.
Q: Is it evergreen?
No — it's a deciduous holly; it drops its leaves in fall, which actually shows off the red berries beautifully.
You May Also Like
Jim Dandy Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): The compatible male pollinator to ensure berries.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus): A native shrub with red winter stems for moist sites.
Native Pussy Willow (Salix discolor): A native wetland shrub for rain gardens.
How Many Red Sprite Winterberry Do I Need?
Plant Red Sprite in a moist mass for the heaviest berry show — space about 3–4 ft apart (3.5 ft average). Remember winterberry is dioecious: include one male winterberry (such as Jim Dandy) within roughly 50 ft for every group of female plants, or you'll get few to no berries.
| Run Length | Plants Needed (3.5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 7 ft | 3 |
| 14 ft | 5 |
| 21 ft | 7 |
| 28 ft | 9 |
Red Sprite Winterberry Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Glossy green leaves emerge on the compact, twiggy frame.
- Summer: Small white flowers open in early summer — a male winterberry nearby pollinates them so berries can set.
- Fall: Leaves drop to reveal branches lined with large, glossy red berries.
- Winter: Brilliant red berries glow against the snow for weeks, feeding cardinals, robins, and waxwings.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Jim Dandy Winterberry — the male pollinator you need nearby for Red Sprite to fruit.
- Redtwig Dogwood — native red winter stems extend the cool-season show in the same moist soil.
- Native Pussy Willow — a native wetland shrub that loves the same wet feet.
- Red Gnome Dogwood — a compact native red-twig for the front of a rain-garden planting.
Is Red Sprite Winterberry Right for Your Yard?
Red Sprite is built for moist, acidic ground — rain gardens, pond edges, and low wet spots in sun to part shade — where it rewards you with native berries and bird traffic. Not a fit if your site is hot, dry, and alkaline, or if you can't site a male winterberry nearby for pollination.