'Southern Gentleman' Winterberry is the handsome suitor that every female winterberry dreams of. Adorned with dark glossy foliage and exhibiting a dense, rounded form, ‘Southern Gentleman’ provides background structure and texture to the garden. In autumn, its leaves take on subtle bronze-purple hues before dropping, leaving behind a clean silhouette for winter. While it does not produce berries, this cultivar shines in its ability to support the vibrant fruiting display of nearby female winterberries (e.g., Magical® Showtime) by providing the necessary pollen for the female flowers. With its adaptability, beautiful pairing with native perennials and ornamental grasses, and stoicism in the face of challenging conditions like flooding, this winterberry selection is the dignified and chivalrous companion we all hope for in a Southern Gentleman.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist to wet, acidic soil
Size: 6’-8’ tall; 6’-8’ wide
Zone: 3 - 9
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators, especially native bees (Colletes banksi); host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly; provides nesting sites for songbirds
Photo: F Delventhal