- Partial Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
- Mature Width 4 - 5 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Holiday Red Sprite Winterberry features dazzling red berries on compact branches that stand only three to five feet tall. Also known as Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite,’ this deciduous shrub brightens the winter months after its glossy green leaves drop. Its bold-colored berries endure long into the cold season, making it the perfect accent for foundation plantings, borders, or seasonal décor. Gardeners appreciate Red Sprite’s small stature and abundant fruit set, giving it an advantage over other larger or less showy winterberries.
Live holiday greenery offers a natural charm that artificial decorations simply can’t match, and it helps minimize waste by thriving well beyond the festive season. This holly doubles as a thoughtful gift because recipients can enjoy its cheer indoors, then relocate it to the garden once temperatures rise. It also supports local bird populations as the berries become an important food source after the holidays. The compact growth makes it easy to bring indoors, creating a refreshing reminder of nature during the coldest days of winter.
Holiday Red Sprite Winterberry Care
Set your plant in a bright spot where it can receive a few hours of sunlight each day, and keep the soil moderately moist without allowing excess water to pool in the container. A cool indoor environment helps preserve the berries and foliage, so consider keeping it away from direct heat sources. If leaves drop early, don’t worry—it’s normal for this deciduous holly to shed foliage while maintaining its classic red fruits.
Once spring temperatures hold steady above freezing, gradually introduce your Red Sprite to outdoor conditions over a period of several days. Choose a spot with full to partial sun and moist, slightly acidic soil, then dig a hole that accommodates the root ball, placing the top at ground level. Backfill and water thoroughly, making sure to site a compatible male pollinator, such as Jim Dandy Winterberry, nearby for reliable berry production. Adequate watering through the first growing season helps establish a sturdy root system and guarantees brilliant color for years to come.
Holiday Red Sprite Winterberry Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 4 - 5 Feet |
| Mature Spacing: 3 - 5 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Inconspicuous Spring Flowers |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Salt |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Hedges & Privacy |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: Hand Pick For You |
| Common Name: Red Sprite Winterberry |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' |
- SKU:
- 1231000429-pc-Holiday
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations