Ilex, Black Alder, Winterberry Holly 'Red Sprite'

'Red Sprite' is commonly planted in southeast Pennsylvania, usually with the male of 'Jim Dandy' that also usually gets about 4 to 6 feet...Read More high in landscapes. They are both compact selections with smaller, rounder leaves than the straight species. Red Sprite usually bears the big red fruit well in late summer into winter.

However, I found a landscape that was designed by a landscape architect that unfortunately must have planted all eight Winterberry shrubs as the female 'Red Sprite' with no males. Thus, I find full-grown handsome shrubs about 6 feet high and wider that are bearing only a few red fruit.

'Red Sprite' winterberry is an excellent deciduous holly for smaller landscapes. It is much more compact than most other winterberries, ...Read Moreand I think it shows off a more silvery gray bark as well.

The only drawback I'd note is that it seems to be stripped of fruit sooner than any other winterberry around central KY.

'Red Sprite' only asks for similar consideration of wetter site conditions (like by a downspout), and acid soil if you've got it. It has done perfectly fine on circumneutral clay loam soils here. Oh, and like the rest of the female winterberries, it likes a cordial male plant for pollination. 'Jim Dandy' will play this role just right.