Proven Winners Winterberry Holly

About this plant

Ilex verticillata 'Berry Poppins' is a stunning deciduous shrub, celebrated for its abundant, bright red berries that cling to bare branches throughout the winter months, providing crucial color and food for wildlife when other plants are dormant. This compact cultivar is an excellent choice for smaller gardens or for mass planting, creating a striking visual impact against a snowy backdrop. Beyond its winter appeal, 'Berry Poppins' offers attractive green foliage during the spring and summer before shedding its leaves in autumn. This low-maintenance shrub is a true four-season plant, offering seasonal interest and a touch of elegance to any landscape. For optimal berry production, 'Berry Poppins' (a female plant) must be planted with a suitable male pollinator such as 'Mr. Poppins' or 'Jim Dandy', ensuring a bountiful display of those iconic red berries.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires a male pollinator (e.g., 'Mr. Poppins' or 'Jim Dandy') for berry production. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges to maintain shape and size. Tolerates a variety of soil conditions, but prefers consistently moist, well-drained, acidic soil.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.