As its name suggests, the winterberry bush produces beautiful red berries in early winter that can add color to gardens and decorative arrangements.
By Shelley Wigglesworth|Dec 14 2021|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
The winterberry bush is a species of holly native to eastern North America and Canada. It’s abundant in the wild and is most frequently found in swampy woodland and wetland areas, though winterberry bushes may also be purchased at garden centers and nurseries.
Winterberry is a species of holly native to eastern North America and Canada. Photo Credit : Pixabay
This medium-sized flowering bush blends seamlessly into woodland areas in the spring and summer, but by the time the leaves have fallen from the surrounding trees in the late fall and early winter — when the winterberry bush leaves are brown and scarce — what remains on the shrub is the bright red, beautiful berries. The berries are pea sized and form in small clusters, punctuating the barren woods with a burst of vibrant color.
Typically a bold red, the berries sometimes take on a reddish orange hue and are highly sought after by landscape decorators and homeowners in late November and December. They are incorporated in traditional outside holiday decorating in wreaths, urns, and swags. The abundant berries are harvested from the wild in New England for retail sale during the holiday season, although winterberries are stunning in their own right throughout the winter in contrast with evergreen trees and snow.
Winterberry incorporated into a holiday wreath. Photo Credit : Thinkstock
Not only are these berry bushes beautiful, they also attract and provide a significant food source to native birds and wildlife. Because of their high visibility in the winter landscape, they are very easy for birds to spot.
Often you will find several species of birds congregating on a winterberry bush for a feast. In fact, over forty known species of North American birds rely on these berries as a part of their food source. Mammals such as moose, deer and rabbits eat the stems and leaves in the winter as well. It is important to note that although this shrub species is an abundant source of food for wildlife, the berries are poisonous and extremely toxic to humans if consumed. It is best to keep the berries away from small children.
Because of their beauty and versatility, many gardeners are now choosing to incorporate winterberry bushes into their landscape design, particularly those who want to encourage wildlife into their backyards or those who are trying to fill in barren landscape with native plant and tree species to provide a natural border or buffer around the landscape.
Tips for Gathering Wild Winterberry Branches
You will need sharp pruners or floral scissors. Take a large cardboard box with you to carry and transport the branches. Cut stems individually at an angle, leaving at least five inches of branch with berry nodules intact. Be sure to thoughtfully gather stems from all over the bush. Do not clear cut or strip a bush of the berry branches. Always ask permission before gathering berries that are not on your own property.
This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.
There are male and female wintonberry bushes, I have both close to each other and still not getting red berries, what can I do to promote the red berries to produce?
Are Winterberry Bushes invasive? I noticed several bushes growing among my shrubs. I purchased a male and female Winterberry shrub this Spring and I noticed the leaves look like the invasive shrubs. Did I buy Winterberry that I already had?
Just move to Maine from Louisiana am loving having to get to know all the plants I was a florist in Louisiana the winter berries are wonderful I need to find out if you can legally pick those up there on the side of the road does anyone in anybody know the question the answer to the question?
My mother loved winterberries. It was a tradition, each fall, to search out boggy places where the bushes hadn’t been stripped, or destroyed from salt, depredation (man) or construction (man, again). I can still see her face light up when I’d bring them to her for that years’ winter decoration.
We don’t have them in Kentucky where I live, but the memory returns each year with the season. Rest well, Mom.
Winterberries have been long time favorites of mine! I can’t help commenting on some of the comments -since Winterberry is native to this area, it can’t be considered invasive. I have not found it to be a particularly aggressive spreader, so while it is possible that you have seedlings coming up near the plants you purchased I would not worry about it spreading rapidly to other parts of your garden. As for why winterberries would not produce fruit on the female plant if you have planted a male plant close by, it is possible that the flowers on either one might not have developed due to drought, or might have been pruned off before pollination to occur. They are pollinated mostly by bees, but if there are not many bees wind can also assist in pollination if the plants are close to each other. They do like moist soil – it doesn’t have to be swampy, but in the wild they usually like pond edges or drainage ditches where water collects, so at least bear in mind they will not thrive if it is a dry location.
Thanks for the tips-photographing winter scenes wouldn’t be complete without some showcasing the beautiful Winterberry!
Why did the berries on my winterberry bush drop of?
There are male and female wintonberry bushes, I have both close to each other and still not getting red berries, what can I do to promote the red berries to produce?
Are Winterberry Bushes invasive? I noticed several bushes growing among my shrubs. I purchased a male and female Winterberry shrub this Spring and I noticed the leaves look like the invasive shrubs. Did I buy Winterberry that I already had?
Just move to Maine from Louisiana am loving having to get to know all the plants I was a florist in Louisiana the winter berries are wonderful I need to find out if you can legally pick those up there on the side of the road does anyone in anybody know the question the answer to the question?
My mother loved winterberries. It was a tradition, each fall, to search out boggy places where the bushes hadn’t been stripped, or destroyed from salt, depredation (man) or construction (man, again). I can still see her face light up when I’d bring them to her for that years’ winter decoration.
We don’t have them in Kentucky where I live, but the memory returns each year with the season. Rest well, Mom.
I am that 80 yr mom who hunts for winterberries every year. Hope I have a few more years to continue the hunting
Winterberries have been long time favorites of mine! I can’t help commenting on some of the comments -since Winterberry is native to this area, it can’t be considered invasive. I have not found it to be a particularly aggressive spreader, so while it is possible that you have seedlings coming up near the plants you purchased I would not worry about it spreading rapidly to other parts of your garden. As for why winterberries would not produce fruit on the female plant if you have planted a male plant close by, it is possible that the flowers on either one might not have developed due to drought, or might have been pruned off before pollination to occur. They are pollinated mostly by bees, but if there are not many bees wind can also assist in pollination if the plants are close to each other. They do like moist soil – it doesn’t have to be swampy, but in the wild they usually like pond edges or drainage ditches where water collects, so at least bear in mind they will not thrive if it is a dry location.
Is it possible to buy one of these Winterberry Wreaths
Are winterberrys used in the making of holly berry candles that have an incredible aroma?. I cannot find them any place. Any suggestions?