Ilex verticillata Oosterwijk - Winterberry

The Ilex verticillata 'Oosterwijk' is a female variety of winterberry holly, known for its abundant bright red fruiting that enhances the garden until the end of winter on its bare branches. Native to Canada and the northeastern United States, this holly is extremely hardy. Its leaves, which fall in autumn, are not prickly like those of the common European holly. Ornamental almost all year round, 'Oosterwijk' is perfect for a natural garden, a free hedge, as well as for wet areas and riverbanks, where it thrives. For optimal fruiting, it is necessary to cross-pollinate with a male plant, such as 'Southern Gentleman', recommended for its simultaneous flowering.

The holly belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family. Ilex verticillata is a sucker-forming and ubiquitous shrub, loving acidic soils and cool to wet areas, but also adapting to open spaces such as meadows or occasionally drier soils of dunes. It is found in a large part of the North American territory. It is quite polymorphic, taking on the appearance of a large spreading shrub 5m in height and 6m in width, or the more modest habit of a narrow bush not exceeding 2m in height, depending on its habitat. This species is dioecious, meaning there are male and female subjects.

'Oosterwijk' is a very floriferous female selection, with an upright and rounded habit, reaching about 2m in all directions. The foliage, deciduous in winter, is composed of obovate or lanceolate leaves, long and tapering, measuring from 3 to 9cm, and having toothed edges. The spring shoots turn purple. On mature leaves, the lamina is bright green and shiny on the upper side, lighter and downy on the underside. The autumn colours in shades of orange-yellow with bronze or coppery highlights are beautiful. The flowering takes place in spring, in the form of small white flowers not exceeding 5mm in diameter. When pollination occurs, the female flowers transform into small globular and shiny fruits, red in colour, clustered in small clusters. They are a delight for birds in winter.

'Oosterwijk' meets the expectations of gardeners looking for resistant, colourful, and easy-to-maintain shrubs. It is particularly appreciated for the beautiful touch of colour it brings to the garden, especially in winter, when its branches are adorned with bright red berries. It fits perfectly into a mixed hedge, alongside Elaeagnus 'Zempin', coyote willow, Cotoneaster lacteus, deciduous spindle trees, or elder trees. It is sensitive to limestone, which can yellow its foliage, and prefers moist to wet soils. Very hardy, it withstands temperatures well below -15°C and thrives near water sources and saturated areas. Some gardeners choose to prune it into a small Christmas tree shape, creating a winter spectacle of beautiful red trees. Ideal for cold regions, it pairs well with hawthorns, snowberries, yellow or orange-fruited pyracanthas, and other evergreen hollies.