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A native holly The native population of winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) stretches from Nova Scotia, south to Florida and west to Missouri. In the Midwest, winterberry hollies provide a lovely scene in winter, especially after a snow.. Sheryl took this photo in October 2009 at the bog in the rain when drops of moisture clung to the bright red berries. Copious American robins were dancing in the rain, snatching berries here and there. In winter, these berries will persist, if they have not been snatched by birds and other animals. You can grow winterberry holly in your back yard, but make sure you get a female and a male plant; otherwise the plant will not flower nor produce these lovely berries. |
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Persistent berries in winter Robins, cedar waxwings and other berry-eating birds appreciate winterberry holly, especially in winter when most other berry-producing shrubs have lost their fruits. Take a walk in the winter and see what wildlife you can discover living in or feeding on leftover berries. Visit Volo Bog State Natural Area, which is off Brandenburg Road along Route 12 in Ingelside, near the village of Fox Lake. Call 815-344-1294 or visit its Web site.
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