Ilex Magical® Amaranth Winterberry

Ilex Magical® Amaranth Winterberry is a long-lived native deciduous shrub that grows to approximately 5 feet tall and wide, offering year-round beauty with its lush foliage and striking dark red berries. This well-branched shrub features extra-large berries that encircle every long, straight branch from the ground up, creating a stunning visual display.

In the spring, Magical Amaranth blooms on new growth with tiny greenish-white flowers. While these blossoms are fairly inconspicuous, nestled among the dense leaves, they attract pollinators, particularly bees. The real show, however, begins in the fall when the branches burst with vibrant berries that persist throughout the winter, adding color and texture to winter gardens and landscapes. These berried branches also provide sustenance for songbirds if not harvested for floral arrangements, making them ideal for extraordinary holiday decor or everyday displays mixed with other varieties of fiery orange and yellow berries.

Botanically known as Ilex verticillata, commonly referred to as winterberry or winterberry holly, Magical Amaranth has an upright, rounded habit and a slow growth rate. It is a female variety that produces berries if a compatible male is planted within pollination range—one male plant can pollinate 6 to 10 female plants. Winterberry is an excellent choice for a specimen plant in mixed beds or as a mass planting for an informal hedge or shrub border. It is also a must-have in naturalized plantings, where the berries add winter interest and provide food for birds and small mammals.

Cold hardy to Zone 4, Magical Amaranth thrives in sunny to partly sunny locations with rich, consistently moist, well-draining soils that have an acidic pH. Its natural habitat includes swamps and bogs, so it tolerates wet soils and some shade, though neutral to alkaline soils should be avoided. Little to no pruning is required, but if desired, it should be done in early spring after the last frost and before new growth emerges. Additionally, winterberry holly is deer resistant, making it a low-maintenance addition to any garden.

As a native plant indigenous to eastern North America, winterberry holly is both beautiful and environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the region's climate and soil conditions, it thrives without the need for fertilizers or extra watering once established. Winterberry holly also acts as a natural pest control, reducing the need for pesticides. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.