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Ilex verticillata Magical® Daydream

Abundant clusters of bright orange berries on an upright, rounded shrub

Acclaimed for its abundant clusters of bright orange fruit, Magical® Daydream brings a new appreciation of our beloved eastern North American native, commonly referred to as “winterberry”. With an upright, rounded habit, dark-green leaves warm to coppery gold in the fall before dropping to expose the ample berries, which persist from early fall into winter, and provide substantial winter interest and nourishment for wildlife. An easy plant to site, winterberries are adaptable to most soils, but prefer moist, organic loams that are on the acidic side—the perfect choice for naturalized settings. As an added bonus, long, straight stems laden with orange fruit can be cut for flower arrangements, filling your living spaces both inside and out with color.

Notes: cuts can be used dry—they’ll keep indoors for several weeks—no need to keep them in water. Tolerant of many soil types, this plant thrives in wet areas, providing nesting opportunities and forage for birds. Magical® Daydream is a female holly. Winterberries need one male pollinator for 10 females to provide adequate pollination. Use ‘Southern Gentleman’ as the male.

Who Am I?

  • Common Name:
    Magical®️ Daydream winterberry holly
  • Botanical Name:
    Ilex verticillata ‘Kolcaroda’
  • Type:
    Shrub
  • U.S. Native:
    YES

Cultural Details

TYPE

Shrub

U.S. NATIVE

YES
  • Light:
    Full sun to part shade
  • Soil:
    Average garden soil
  • Moisture:
    Moist, but well drained
  • Hardiness Zone
    4-9
  • Bloom Time:
    Spring
  • Bloom Color:
    White
  • Fruit Time
    Fall to winter
  • Fruit Color
    Orange
  • Size:
    6-8' tall by 6-8' wide
  • Diseases & Pests:
    None known

What Makes Me Special?

Acclaimed for its abundant clusters of bright orange fruit, Magical® Daydream brings a new appreciation of our beloved eastern North American native, commonly referred to as “winterberry”. With an upright, rounded habit, dark-green leaves warm to coppery gold in the fall before dropping to expose the ample berries, which persist from early fall into winter, and provide substantial winter interest and nourishment for wildlife.

Landscape Use

Cut flowers, mixed plantings, poor soils, wet areas, woodland gardens

Pruning

Prune winterberry hollies in late winter to encourage more fruit production. To have maximum fruit each year, plant several plants and cut half of them one year and the rest the nest.

Propagation

Cuttings

Who Am I?

  • Common Name:
    Magical®️ Daydream winterberry holly
  • Botanical Name:
    Ilex verticillata ‘Kolcaroda’
  • Type:
    Shrub
  • U.S. Native:
    YES

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