Winter Berries

Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Lawsoniana’ – This hybrid holly (I. aquifolium x I. perado) is relatively compact (to 20′ tall) and features bright red berries. These are nicely contrasted by attractive evergreen foliage that is a marbled lime and gold, with dark green margins. This cultivar often has few spines which makes it ideal for Christmas decor. AGM. Grows 10-12′ wide.  Hardy to zone 7.

Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ – This is the only Beautyberry cultivar to have in your garden, as ‘Profusion’ bears abundant deep violet berry clusters that almost look artificial. The small pink flowers are usually hidden in the foliage of this large deciduous shrub, but once the leaves drop, it’s a real showpiece. Grows 4.5 to 6 feet high and wide. Hardy to zone 6.

Gaultheria procumbens – Wintergreen is an evergreen shrublet which has white urn-shaped summer flowers (reminiscent of heather), followed by large bubblegum-scented red berries that often persist through winter.  The glossy dark green foliage also takes on burgundy tones in the colder weather, making it a great container feature or small-scale groundcover for part sun. Zone 3.

Sorbus hupehensis ‘Pink Pagoda’ (syn. Sorbus oligodonta) – A small ornamental Mountain Ash with attractive bluish-green compound foliage and white flowers. By autumn, these have developed into pendulous clusters of deep pink berries that usually persist well into winter, but often fade to pale pink or white. Grows 20-25′ high by 20′ wide. Hardy to zone 6.

Ilex verticillata – Many gardeners are familiar with Winterberry as a cut stem for flower arranging, but these large deciduous shrubs are quite cold hardy and easy to grow. Your best choices for berry production would be ‘Winter Red’ (pollinate with ‘Southern Gentleman’) or the serrata hybrid ‘Sparkleberry’ (pollinate with ‘Apollo’), which grow about 8′ and 10′ tall. Zone 4.