Does anyone know if I can find this plant for sale in Portugal? For those of you who don´t know, it´s a deciduous holly, usually sold at florists´ shops around Christmas time as a cut plant. The branches are naked and covered with red berries. Up to now I have never been able to find it for sale in Portugal.

Eduarda

Ilex verticillata is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America that reaches a maximum height of about 9 feet. From late fall through winter, Ilex verticillata steps up into the garden’s spot light by producing an outstanding display of, for most cultivars, bright red berries which persist on the branches even after the leaves have fallen. The variations between the cultivars are mainly seen as differences in the quantity, size, and color of their fruit. It is notable that this species is monoecious (plants are either male or female), so berries are only produced on female plants. When planting female selections, it is necessary to have a male plant in the same vicinity in order to ensure pollination.

To add eye-catching color to a winter landscape, try planting Ilex verticillata in groupings or mixed amongst other plants that may be lacking winter interest.

É lindíssima como planta ornamental.