Winterberry – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing

Winterberry (A holly that losses it’s leaves in the Winter)

Timing of pruning is often driven by the use of the fruit for Winter arrangements. This, however, removes the flowers for that next Spring and in turn the fruit for that year. So having more than one female plant is necessary to harvest fruit each year. If the plant is just used for winter color in the yard, a small amount of hand pruning can be done to direct growth pattern. Crossing or broken braches should be removed. Pruning should be done in early spring before any new growth. Any pruning on these plants will reduce fruit production.

This plant grows and develops best in acidic soil. Most of the soil, all of the rainwater and all of the ground water in southeastern Wisconsin is basic or alkaline. Therefore, for some plants to thrive, they need to have special care.

Initially, the soil the plant is installed into should be amended to make it more acidic and to increase the amount of organic matter in the soil. Over time, the soils acidity should be supplemented with an acid-based fertilizer. A liquid fertilizer, like Miracid works well. This liquid fertilizer is mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This type of fertilization should be done three or four times per year, starting in April and ending in mid-July. Soil can also be acidified with soil sulfur, aluminum sulfate or cotton seed meal, however, these products will not fertilize the plant. Mulch is also important to acid loving plants. A 2-4″ thickness of bark or needle mulch should surround the plant at least as far out as its drip line.

These shrubs need little winter care but, should be occasionally be checked for rabbit or other damage. If rabbit damage is found you can protect the plant with a fence formed with hardware cloth (looks like chicken wire but, with small square holes). The branches of the plant should be tied in towards the center, then a circle of hardware cloth can be placed around the outside. The base of the hardware cloth should be buried in the soil or mulch. This protection should be installed in late November and removed in mid April.