Berry Heavy® Gold Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata 'Roberta Case')

Berry Heavy® Gold Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata 'Roberta Case') is an upright, rounded deciduous shrub with dark green foliage and golden-yellow berries that stand out after the leaves drop. Fall foliage develops gold to orange tones.

Pollination: This female cultivar needs a compatible male winterberry to produce berries. Mr. Poppins Winterberry is the recommended pollinator in this listing.

Safety note: Although birds eat the fruit, the berries are toxic to humans and must not be eaten.

Growing details

• Plant type: Deciduous shrub
• Species origin: Eastern North America, including northern Georgia
• Mature size: 6–8 feet tall and wide
• Spacing: Approximately 7 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9
• Light: Full sun to part sun; protect from hot afternoon sun in hotter climates
• Soil: Moist, slightly acidic and well-drained
• Flowers: Small, inconspicuous white flowers
• Fruit: Golden-yellow berries following successful pollination
• Seasonal interest: Fall foliage and berries on bare branches in winter
• Cultivar: 'Roberta Case'

Care and garden use

Water regularly and maintain suitable drainage. Hot afternoon exposure can cause leaf scorch. Watch for mites, scale, leaf spot, rot, and mildew.

Winterberry supports wildlife, providing fruit for birds and serving as a host plant for Henry's elfin butterflies. Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, borders, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, seasonal screens, foundation plantings, hedges, or suitably sized containers. Pair with azalea, camellia, or hydrangea where growing conditions suit each plant.

Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.