winter berries

This is a Winterberry Holly (ilex verticillata). It is an obvious candidate for best-in-show when the middle of winter comes and we are looking around for something besides evergreens to brag on in our yards and gardens. Today's picture comes from a tallish shrub near the duck pond at Sarah Duke Gardens. Its site near the water gives a clue as to this native's love for moist soil. But thankfully, drought is not necessarily a threat to its existence. Check with your local nursery or online resource to see what hybrids are available and how many male versus female shrubs you need for pollination purposes.