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Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry')
1 hour care
per year
per year
3.5m
Max height
Max height
3.5m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 Years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ilex 'Sparkleberry'
Other names
Winterberry 'Sparkleberry', Ilex verticillata 'Sparkleberry', Winterberry holly 'Sparkleberry'
Genus
Ilex Ilex
Variety or Cultivar
'Sparkleberry' _ 'Sparkleberry' is a dense, upright to rounded, suckering, female, deciduous shrub with ovate, toothed, dark green leaves turning yellow in autumn and, in late spring, clusters of inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers followed by spherical bright red fruit.
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' is: Evergreen
Habit
Dense, Rounded, Suckering, Upright
Toxicity
Berries may cause discomfort if ingested.
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Greenish-white in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Scale insects Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Scale insects
Holly leaf blight Holly leaf blight
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Prune to shape specimens only when young. Shape formally trained plants in summer. Trim hedges in early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry') will reach a height of 3.5m and a spread of 3.5m after 20-50 Years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Specimen tree, Topiary, Wind-breaker
Cultivation
Prefers moist, acid soil but tolerates a wide range of conditions. Requires a male pollinator for fruit production. Ilex 'Apollo' is the preferred pollinator. Fruiting is best in full sun. Tolerates air pollution and salt spray.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Ilex 'Sparkleberry'
Other names
Winterberry 'Sparkleberry', Ilex verticillata 'Sparkleberry', Winterberry holly 'Sparkleberry'
Genus
Ilex Ilex
Variety or Cultivar
'Sparkleberry' _ 'Sparkleberry' is a dense, upright to rounded, suckering, female, deciduous shrub with ovate, toothed, dark green leaves turning yellow in autumn and, in late spring, clusters of inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers followed by spherical bright red fruit.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Dense, Rounded, Suckering, Upright
Toxicity
Berries may cause discomfort if ingested.
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Greenish-white in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Scale insects
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Prune to shape specimens only when young. Shape formally trained plants in summer. Trim hedges in early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry') will reach a height of 3.5m and a spread of 3.5m after 20-50 Years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Specimen tree, Topiary, Wind-breaker
Cultivation
Prefers moist, acid soil but tolerates a wide range of conditions. Requires a male pollinator for fruit production. Ilex 'Apollo' is the preferred pollinator. Fruiting is best in full sun. Tolerates air pollution and salt spray.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry')
Common pest name
Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance
Scientific pest name
Hoplolaimus spp.
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry')
Common pest name
pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale
Scientific pest name
Ceroplastes rubens
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Ilex 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry 'Sparkleberry')
Common pest name
Stubby-root nematode
Scientific pest name
Trichodorus cedarus
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous nematode pest from Asia; occasionally intercepted by the UK. Causes direct feeding damage on plant roots and has the potential to vector viruses.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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