The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex verticillata 'Afterglow' is in September and October.
winterberry
Ilex verticillata 'Afterglow'
Winterberry is a deciduous shrub with an incredibly beautiful winter appearance. Its oblong-ovate leaves turn from a creamy yellow to a golden yellow to coppery orange in the fall. In winter, its glossy greenish-white needles stand out against the dull landscape. The star of winterberry is its colorful red berries, which may last through winter if birds don’t get to them first. Ilex verticillata 'Afterglow' bears an abundance of glossy red winterberries, making it a favorite for gardeners. In spring it produces small white flowers. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun. Winterberry can reach up to 14 feet tall, making it a perfect addition to any landscape.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Frequent
Propagation:
Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish-white Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,red,purple
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Winterberry requires moist conditions and regular watering during the growing season. Aim to water the plant about once a week, or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. In hot, dry conditions, provide more frequent and liberal watering, up to twice a week. In the winter, reduce watering to twice a month, or when the soil feels dry. Whenever possible, water the soil directly, without wetting the leaves.
sunlight
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Afterglow') requires direct sunlight for a minimum of 5 to 6 hours per day. If given enough sunlight, this plant species will thrive. Depending on the location and season, the best time to give winterberry some direct sunlight is between 8 am and noon. During the summer, winterberry should not be placed in direct sunlight for more than 8 hours as this could cause the leaves to fry. If given the proper amount of sunlight, winterberry should bloom in November and can be found in a wide assortment of colors.
pruning
Winterberry should be pruned in late winter or early spring before it begins to produce new foliage growth. To prune winterberry, start by removing any shoots that are dead, injured, or diseased; located close to the main stem; and crossing over 1 another. Then thin out the inside of the shrub to open it up and let light and air in. This will also help promote better fruit production. Finally, prune the outer sides of the shrub to shape it. Ensure you take off no more than 1-third of the total shrub.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Winterberry typically starts flowering in June.
