Dwarf Winterberry Holly ‘Nana Red Sprite’ Live Plant 12-16 Inches Tall, Bare Root, Outdoor

Overview

Introduce a burst of vibrant color to your winter landscape with the dwarf winterberry holly ‘Nana Red Sprite’ live plant. This exceptional deciduous shrub, scientifically known as Ilex verticillata ‘Nana Red Sprite’, is celebrated for its abundant, brilliant red berries that persist long after its leaves have fallen. Perfect for adding visual interest to your garden during the colder months, this particular variety is a dwarf form, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or mass plantings. The ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is a female cultivar and requires a male pollinator, such as ‘Jim Dandy’, to produce its characteristic berries. This dwarf winterberry holly is known for its hardiness and adaptability, thriving in a range of conditions and providing spectacular seasonal display.

As a nana red sprite holly, this plant will be a focal point in any garden, offering a striking contrast against snow or evergreen foliage. It arrives as a bare root plant, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. Its compact size and dense berry production make it a highly desirable option for gardeners seeking both beauty and wildlife attraction. Birds are often drawn to the bright berries, adding another layer of natural charm to your outdoor space. Embrace the beauty of winter with this easy-to-grow and visually stunning shrub.

Key Benefits

The dwarf winterberry holly offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent addition to nearly any garden. Its unique characteristics provide year-round appeal and contribute significantly to garden aesthetics and local ecosystems.

• Stunning Winter Interest: The ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is renowned for its prolific display of bright red berries that adorn its bare branches throughout fall and winter, providing crucial color when most other plants are dormant. This makes the dwarf winterberry holly an invaluable asset for extending garden beauty.

• Compact Growth Habit: As a dwarf cultivar, this holly remains smaller than other winterberry varieties, typically reaching 3-5 feet in height and spread. This compact size makes the nana red sprite holly suitable for smaller gardens, urban landscapes, and even container planting on patios or balconies.

• Wildlife Attraction: The vibrant red berries serve as an important food source for birds and other wildlife during the lean winter months, helping to support local ecosystems and bringing activity to your garden.

• Adaptable & Hardy: This plant is highly adaptable to various soil types and moisture levels, including wet conditions, and is exceptionally cold hardy, making it a reliable choice for many climates.

• Low Maintenance: Once established, the ilex verticillata red sprite requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. Pruning is generally only needed to maintain shape or remove dead branches.

• Versatile Landscaping Use: Its unique winter appeal makes it perfect for mass plantings, hedges, borders, or as a striking specimen plant. It can also be incorporated into naturalized areas or rain gardens.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your dwarf winterberry holly ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is relatively straightforward, ensuring a spectacular display of berries with proper attention. This hardy shrub thrives in a range of conditions, but a few key practices will help it flourish. For optimal berry production, ensure your ‘Nana Red Sprite’ has a suitable male pollinator, such as ‘Jim Dandy’, planted nearby (typically within 50 feet). Without a male counterpart, the female ‘Nana Red Sprite’ will not produce its signature red berries.

When it comes to sunlight, the ilex verticillata red sprite prefers full sun to partial shade. Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) will generally result in the most abundant berry set. While it tolerates a variety of soil types, it performs best in moist, acidic, well-draining soil. Winterberry hollies are particularly tolerant of wet soil conditions, even thriving in areas that might be too boggy for other shrubs, making them excellent choices for rain gardens or near water features. Water regularly, especially during dry spells and in its first year of establishment, to ensure the soil remains consistently moist. Fertilize sparingly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if soil nutrients are poor. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and thin out older stems to encourage new, vigorous growth. This helps maintain the plant’s shape and encourages better berry production. This winterberry plant care guide will help ensure a healthy and productive shrub for years to come.

Size & Details

This dwarf winterberry holly ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is shipped as a bare root plant, carefully prepared for transplanting into your garden. Upon arrival, the plant will measure approximately 12-16 inches in height. As an established shrub, the ‘Nana Red Sprite’ typically reaches a mature height and spread of 3 to 5 feet, creating a compact and rounded form. Its moderate growth rate means it will fill out nicely within a few seasons, providing a dense structure for its stunning berry display. This cultivar is known for its robust berry production, with bright red fruits appearing in late summer and persisting through winter. The deciduous foliage is a lush green during the growing season, turning to a subtle yellow before dropping in the fall, revealing the vibrant berries. This outdoor holly shrub is a perfect specimen for adding seasonal interest and attracting local wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this dwarf winterberry holly get? A: The ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is a dwarf cultivar, typically reaching a mature height and spread of 3 to 5 feet. Its compact size makes it versatile for various garden settings.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The dwarf winterberry holly ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is an outdoor shrub. It requires seasonal changes to thrive and produce its characteristic berries.

• Q: How much sunlight does the ilex verticillata red sprite need? A: This plant prefers full sun to partial shade. For the most abundant berry production, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the nana red sprite holly is considered low maintenance once established. It’s adaptable to various conditions and generally requires minimal pruning and care.

• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your dwarf winterberry holly will arrive as a bare root plant, carefully packaged to ensure its health during transit. It will be ready for planting upon arrival.

• Q: When is the best time to plant a winterberry plant care? A: The best time to plant bare root winterberry hollies is in early spring or fall when the weather is cool. This allows the plant to establish its root system before extreme temperatures.

• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is very cold hardy and typically thrives in USDA Zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.

• Q: Does this shrub attract wildlife? A: Absolutely! The bright red berries of this outdoor holly shrub are a favorite food source for many bird species, especially during the winter months.

• Q: Do I need a male plant for berries? A: Yes, ‘Nana Red Sprite’ is a female cultivar and requires a male winterberry holly, such as ‘Jim Dandy’, planted nearby for successful pollination and berry production.