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Key characteristics

Family: Aquifoliaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Inconspicuous greenish-white
Foliage color: Green, turning yellow-green in fall
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate to high
Maintenance: Low; prune in late winter to shape and remove dead wood
Growing zone: USDA Zones 3 to 9
Wildlife: Birds (attracted to the bright red berries), pollinators

Shrubs

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'

Red Sprite Winterberry

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' is a compact deciduous holly that produces small greenish-white flowers in late spring to early summer. By autumn, these flowers give way to bright red berries that persist through winter, providing a bold splash of color to the landscape. The berries are highly attractive to birds and add interest to gardens during the colder months.

A cultivar derived from the North American native Ilex verticillata, 'Red Sprite' is specifically bred for its smaller size and dense growth habit.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate to high

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Bird Gardens
Winter Interest

Companion plants

Russian sage · Blue fescues · Coreopsis · Yarrow · Daylilies · Creeping phlox

Design tip

Use ‘Red Sprite’ where its compact form and persistent berries can provide concentrated winter color. Its bright red fruit remains after the foliage has dropped, making it especially effective in smaller gardens or winter-focused plantings where the berries can become a prominent seasonal feature.