winterberry

For a winterberry plant, the soil should be kept moist, but not soggy, throughout the growing season. Generally, that means once or twice a week, depending on heat and humidity. During particularly hot, dry weather up to daily watering may be needed to keep soil evenly moist but not wet. Each winterberry should receive 1 inch of water per week. Winterberry can withstand drought, but growth and fruit production will be diminished in dry conditions. Be sure to water your winterberry plants at the base of the plant and avoid overhead or wetting the foliage. Water slowly to give the moisture time to penetrate deep into the soil, as this is important to promote root growth.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Oosterwijk') thrive best with full sun exposure, receiving 5-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. In warmer climates they can tolerate some partial shade, but generally prefer direct sunlight for optimal growth and flowering. When grown in shadier conditions, the plants may become lanky and the berries will be fewer in number. Winterberry plants are considered hardy in USDA zones 4-9, and they are very tolerant of cold temperatures. Plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil in order to get the best results.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Oosterwijk') should be pruned in late winter, before new growth emerges in the spring. Prune the shrub down to about 12-24 inches from the ground, leaving some of the older canes to ensure good fruiting. Make sure you are removing any dead, weak, or crossing branches, as well as any that do not extend outward or upward from the shrub. This ensures the shrub remains full and has a good density of foliage. This species also benefits from selective pruning after it blooms in the spring; slight targeted pruning can encourage more blooms the next year.