filler · easy · mid
Ilex (winter berry)
Ilex verticillata · aka winterberry, holly berry
Ilex — the winterberry — is the definitive winter and holiday floral material. Dense red or golden berry clusters on bare branches provide graphic seasonal accent for wreaths, garlands, and installation work between November and February. Yellow-berry Ilex is prized by editorial designers for its rarer, more sculptural quality against the traditional red.
At a glance
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Eastern North America |
| Peak season | November, December, January |
| Availability | October, November, December, January, February |
| Stem length | 40–90 cm |
| Vase life | 14–28 days |
| Colors | red, orange, yellow |
| Price tier | mid |
Conditioning
Cut stem at 45°, place in fresh water. Berries hold on the stem for weeks without water in cool rooms.
Care in the vase
- •Very long-lasting — up to 4 weeks
- •Handle carefully; berries drop from bumped stems
- •Works dry after the initial fresh phase
- •Cool storage 4-8°C extends life
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismwinter, festivity, perseverance
Occasionswinter wedding, christmas, holiday, installation
Substitutesviburnum, hypericum, skimmia rubella
winterberryholidaylong-lasting
