Ilex verticillata Magical Daydream

Ilex verticillata Magical Daydream is a female variety of whorled holly selected for its abundant bright orange berries on its bare branches. These are particularly decorative until the end of winter. Originating from Canada and the northeastern USA, it is a perfectly hardy holly whose leaves, unlike those of the common holly that we all know, are not prickly and fall in the autumn. Almost ornamental all year round, it will find its place in a natural garden or hedge, but also in very wet areas and on banks by watercourses. This female variety can be pollinated by a male plant ('Southern Gentleman') to create fantastic berries.

The holly belongs to the family of Aquifoliaceae. Ilex verticillata is a suckering and very common shrub, loving acidic soils and cool to wet areas.  It also adapts to open spaces like meadows or occasionally drier sandy soils. It is found in a large part of the North American territory. It is quite polymorphous, taking on the appearance of a large spreading bush measuring 5 m in height and 6 m in width, or the more modest habit of a narrow shrub not exceeding 2 m in height, depending on its habitat. This species is dioecious, meaning that there are separate male and female plants.

Magical Daydream 'Kolmcaroda' is a very floriferous female variety, with an upright and rounded habit, reaching about 2.20 m (7 ft 2 in) in all directions. The foliage, deciduous in winter, is composed of obovate or lanceolate leaves, tapering, measuring from 3 to 9 cm.  These have dentate margins. The spring shoots turn purple. Mature leaves are bright green and shiny on the upper side and lighter and hairy on the lower side. The autumn colours in shades of yellow-orange with bronze or coppery reflections are beautiful. The flowering takes place in spring, in the form of small white flowers not exceeding 5 mm in diameter. When pollination occurs, the female flowers transform into small clusters of small globular and shiny berries that are orange in colour. They are a delight for birds in winter.

Ilex verticillata 'Magical Daydream' will please amateur gardeners who appreciate sturdy, colourful, and unassuming shrubs. It has the advantage of bringing fabulous colours to the garden, especially in winter when its branches are covered with orange berries and seem almost in bloom. It is perfect in a mixed hedge, in the company of Elaeagnus Zempin, coyote willow (Salix exigua), Cotoneaster lacteus, deciduous spindle trees, or elderberries. It dislikes limestone, which causes its beautiful foliage to turn yellow, and prefers moist to wet soils. Hardy well beyond -15 °C, it particularly enjoys being positioned close to watercourses and waterlogged areas. Some gardeners prune it into the shape of a small fir tree; the sight of these small red trees in winter is quite fascinating. Plant it along with hawthorns, snowberries, pyracanthas with yellow or orange berries, and other evergreen hollies.