December Plant Pick

Moana Nursery, a wholesale nursery in Canby, just sent this photo to me. It made me gasp it was so beautiful I wanted to share it with you. Just so happens birds (and apparently deer) love the fruit.

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' (also known as 'Nana' or 'Compacta')

• Zones 3 to 9
  
• Full sun to partial shade
  
• Typically slow growing to 2-3 feet tall and wide
  
• Needs acidic, organically-enriched, moist to wet soils, but it is somewhat adaptable to soils that are occasionally dry (if female plants are sited in relatively dry soils, berry size will be maximized by irrigation during dry periods in July and August; excellent tolerance for wet conditions)
  
• One male plant (of the appropriate flowering time) planted in close proximity to three to five female plants is needed to ensure good pollination and fruit set
  
• Immature berries emerge on female shrubs in early summer, maturing to red berries in late August to early September; berries persist (if not eaten by wildlife) and are very showy due to their red coloration on the bare stems
  
• Root suckering with maturity, forming colonies (this is an asset in naturalized sites, or where erosion control is desired)
  
• No serious disease or insect problems

Tell us about your favorite berry-producing plant, include photos if you have one.