Red Sprite Winterberry

Bright Winter Berries
Compact Native Holly
Rain Garden Color

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#7 Container

$86.00

4 in stock

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$86.00

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Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
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Red Sprite Winterberry

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Red Sprite Winterberry

Red Sprite Winterberry is a compact native deciduous holly known for brilliant red berries that brighten the winter landscape after its leaves drop. Its smaller size, rounded habit, pollinator value, and strong seasonal color make it excellent for foundations, rain gardens, borders, and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Why choose Red Sprite Winterberry?

Choose Red Sprite Winterberry for eye-catching winter color in a manageable size. This female winterberry holly produces clusters of bright red berries when planted with a compatible male pollinator, bringing color to snowy gardens, cut stems, and dormant borders. Its compact form fits smaller spaces better than many larger winterberries, while its native background and tolerance for moist soils make it useful in rain gardens, naturalized edges, and mixed shrub plantings.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’
Common Name: Red Sprite Winterberry
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Compact, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub

Red Sprite Winterberry Additional Information

Red Sprite Winterberry produces small white spring flowers that are modest in appearance but important for berry formation. As a female winterberry, it needs a compatible male pollinator nearby, commonly Jim Dandy Winterberry, to set its showy red fruit. Berries mature in fall and often remain into winter, creating a striking display after the green foliage drops. The fruit is ornamental and valuable for birds, but it should not be considered edible for people.

This compact selection is especially useful where larger winterberries would outgrow the space. Plant it in groups, foundation beds, rain gardens, woodland edges, mixed shrub borders, or near patios and walkways where the winter berry display can be enjoyed. Red Sprite Winterberry is deciduous, so its bare winter stems and bright fruit are part of its seasonal appeal. Prune lightly in early spring only as needed, and avoid heavy trimming that removes flowering wood and reduces the berry show.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Red Sprite Winterberry in full sun to partial shade with moist, acidic, well-drained to occasionally wet soil. Set the root ball level with the surrounding soil and water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist while the shrub establishes. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in sandy soil, exposed sites, or hotter summer weather.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture, protect shallow roots, and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch pulled back slightly from the stems.

4. Pruning: Prune lightly in early spring before new growth begins if shaping is needed. Plant a compatible male winterberry nearby, such as Jim Dandy, for reliable berry production.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Red Sprite Winterberry get?
Red Sprite Winterberry typically grows about 3–5 feet tall and wide, making it a compact choice for foundation beds, smaller borders, rain gardens, and grouped winter-interest plantings.
Does Red Sprite Winterberry need a pollinator?
Yes. Red Sprite Winterberry is a female plant and needs a compatible male winterberry nearby to produce berries. Jim Dandy Winterberry is commonly used as a matching male pollinator.
Where should I plant Red Sprite Winterberry?
Plant it in full sun to partial shade where soil stays evenly moist and acidic. It works especially well in rain gardens, native borders, foundation plantings, and winter display areas.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Partial Shade
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 4 ft
Mature Spread	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'
Bloom Time	Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Aquifoliaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#7 Container

Green map of the United States with state boundaries outlined in black, all states shaded in green, on a white background.

Growing Zones 3-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

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