winterberry

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE) prefers moist, well-drained soil and should be watered thoroughly and regularly during the growing season. Watering should be reduced in the winter when the plant is dormant. A good rule of thumb is to provide enough water during the summer months so the top 6 inches of soil is kept moist, watering about once a week. During the winter, water just enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry. Depending on your climate and soil, you may need to adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE) needs both full sun and partial shade for optimal growth. In general, this plant requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably during the morning hours when the sun is highest in the sky. It will also benefit from indirect light throughout the day and a minimum of 4 hours of light in the late afternoon or evening. It should be noted that some light shade in the hottest part of the day may be beneficial during the summer months. Additionally, this cultivar of winterberry can handle temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 100°F.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE) is an easy-to-grow deciduous shrub that requires very little pruning. Pruning is generally performed to maintain its shape and size, or to promote more vigorous flowering. Pruning should be done in the late winter/early spring after all danger of frost has passed. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Then, selectively prune out the older, larger stems each year, pruning back to the ground or to a sturdy 1-2 foot base to stimulate the production of new stems. Pruning should be done with a sharp, clean pair of hand pruners. Take care not to cut off more than 1-quarter of the plant's total branches and foliage. This will help ensure a healthy, vigorous winterberry shrub with an abundance of bright red berries.