Ilex verticillata
“Common Winterberry” by Katja Schulz, via Flickr. (cropped from original). CC BY 2.0.
Ecological Benefits: Host plant of Henry’s Elfin Butterfly, feeds 48 bird species with its fruit, attracts pollinators such as specialized bees
Bloom period: flowers in spring, fruits in fall-winter
Best Areas for Planting: mid to high moisture, full sun to half shade; acidic, well-drained soils of clay, loam, and sand
Natural Habitat: can be found in wet environments such as swamps, bogs, and ponds, or floodplains and forests
Most of the species information is from The Virginia Native Plant Society website, which offers free, extensive pdfs for each region of Virginia, highlighting about 100 native species (there are many more!) and helpful additional information for planning personal projects. If you aren’t from Virginia, you can search for similar resources in your state! To explore other resources and advice, navigate to the guidance page.
Visit the homepage to explore other sites and learn more about native plants.