Winterberry 'Jim Dandy'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$36.99
Title

This early-blooming male pollinator is a lush, dependable shrub with rich, deep emerald-green foliage that creates a dense, polished backdrop for your summer perennials. In spring, it is covered in a quiet profusion of tiny white flowers that serve as the secret ingredient to a spectacular berry harvest on your female plants. Neat, compact, and incredibly cold-hardy, 'Jim Dandy' is the essential "wingman" for your garden, ensuring your winter landscape is glowing with ruby-red berries year after year.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

3–6' High x 4–8' Wide

Zone:

3-9

Watering:

High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Slow

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Jim Dandy Winterberry, Male Winterberry Holly, Black Alder

Scientific Name:

Ilex verticillata 'Jim Dandy'

Type:

Ornamental Native Shrub (Male Pollinator)

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 3–6 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit: Compact, slow-growing, and multi-stemmed.
  • Form: Rounded, twiggy mound.
  • Growth Rate: Slow.
  • Longevity: 40+ years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun, partial sun, or partial shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, acidic, organic-rich soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Excellent in heavy clay, boggy areas, and poorly drained sites.
  • Watering: High; does not tolerate drought well.

Special Features:

Native species; essential pollinator; deer and rabbit resistant; salt tolerant.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Small, inconspicuous white flowers in late spring (specifically timed for early-blooming females).
  • Fall Colour: Foliage may turn a subtle yellow-bronze before dropping.
  • Bark: Smooth, dark grey bark.
  • Fruit: None (This is a male plant; it provides pollen but does not produce berries itself).

Garden Value:

Essential as a pollinator for early-flowering female winterberries. Its dense habit makes it a great filler shrub for low-lying, wet areas of the yard.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Flowers provide a vital nectar source for bees and other pollinators.
  • Human Value: Critical for ensuring the iconic red berry display on female hollies; excellent for erosion control in wet spots.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or Autumn.
  • Spacing: Plant within 50 feet of female varieties like 'Berry Heavy' or 'Afterglow' for effective pollination.
  • Location Tips: One 'Jim Dandy' can pollinate up to 6–10 female plants.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; full sun promotes the most vigorous flowering for pollination.
  • Moisture Requirements: High; prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
  • Maintenance: Very low; prune only to shape in early spring if necessary.
  • Fertilization: Apply an acidic fertilizer in early spring to maintain rich green foliage.

Tolerances:

Wet soil, clay soil, flooding, and extreme cold.

Tips For Success:

Ensure it is planted in an acidic spot to prevent yellowing of the leaves. Mulch to maintain the high moisture levels this plant loves.

Fruit Profile