Many people only know the red berries of the Ilex verticillata from bouquets or floral arrangements in autumn or winter, but the plant itself remains rather unknown.
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Bright red fruits on Ilex verticillata
This shrub-like Ilex plant grows up to 3m tall and is suitable for sunny or partially shady areas in the garden. It grows very slowly and forms squarrose shoots.
Solitary Ilex verticillata 300-350 x 200-250
The summer green foliage changes colour in the autumn to a mixture of yellow, red and black. Contrary to other Ilex kinds, it is deciduous.
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Autumn and winter aspects
The plant is dioecious, therefore it is necessary to plant male and female plants in order to retain the bright red berries. The berries are poisonous; they remain until February and have a high ornamental value in the garden.
Maike Rohde