Southern Gentleman Winterberry

Late Male Pollinator
Native Shrub Appeal
Moist Site Friendly

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#7 Container

$86.00

2 in stock

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$86.00

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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

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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.

Southern Gentleman Winterberry

Southern Gentleman Winterberry is a male deciduous holly selected as a reliable late-blooming pollinator for compatible female winterberries. Its upright, multi-stemmed form, green summer foliage, and adaptable use in moist native plantings make it essential for berry-focused winterberry displays.

Why choose Southern Gentleman Winterberry?

Choose Southern Gentleman Winterberry when planting late-blooming female winterberries that need a compatible male for fruit production. While this cultivar does not produce berries itself, it provides the pollen needed for showy female selections such as Winter Red, Winter Gold, Sunset, and Cacapon. Its attractive shrub form, tolerance of moist sites, and value in rain gardens, hedges, and naturalized areas make it a practical companion plant that supports both landscape structure and seasonal berry displays.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’
Common Name: Southern Gentleman Winterberry
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub

Southern Gentleman Winterberry Additional Information

Southern Gentleman Winterberry produces small, subtle white to greenish-white flowers in late spring to early summer. As a male cultivar, its main role is pollination rather than fruit display, making placement near compatible female winterberries important for successful berry production. It is especially useful for late-blooming female cultivars and is commonly paired with Winter Red Winterberry.

This native winterberry holly develops medium-green, serrated foliage through the growing season before dropping its leaves in fall. Its natural, multi-stemmed shape works well in mixed shrub borders, native gardens, moist hedges, rain gardens, pond edges, and foundation plantings. For best use, plant one male within range of several compatible female winterberries so pollinators can transfer pollen during bloom. Prune in early spring before new growth appears if shaping is needed, keeping cuts light to preserve the plant’s natural form.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Southern Gentleman Winterberry in full sun to partial shade with moist, acidic, organic-rich soil. Position it near compatible late-blooming female winterberries so pollinators can move easily between plants during bloom.

2. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, especially in warm or dry weather. Once established, this shrub performs well in sites with steady natural moisture, including rain gardens, pond edges, and low borders.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and help keep soil temperatures even. Keep mulch slightly away from the main stems.

4. Pruning: Prune in early spring before new growth begins. Light shaping or selective removal of older stems is usually enough to maintain a healthy, natural-looking shrub.

Related Resources

FAQs

Does Southern Gentleman Winterberry produce berries?
No. Southern Gentleman Winterberry is a male cultivar, so it produces pollen rather than berries. It is planted to help compatible female winterberries develop their colorful fruit.
Which female winterberries does Southern Gentleman Winterberry pollinate?
Southern Gentleman Winterberry is a late-blooming male pollinator commonly used with female cultivars such as Winter Red, Winter Gold, Sunset, Cacapon, and other late-blooming winterberries.
How many female plants can one support?
One male plant can typically pollinate 5–7 female plants within range.
Where should I plant Southern Gentleman Winterberry?
Use it near compatible female winterberries in moist borders, rain gardens, pond edges, native plantings, mixed hedges, and naturalized areas where acidic soil and consistent moisture support healthy growth.

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
Full Sun
Watering

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate
Botanical Name	Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman'
Bloom Time	Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Aquifoliaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full 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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