Winterberry Holly 'Red Sprite'

Ilex verticillata, commonly known as Winterberry Holly, is one of Carroll Gardens' most popular shrubs. Native to North America, Ilex verticillata is a deciduous shrub that loses it's shiny deep green leaves each winter, right after they turn orange and then yellow. The female varieties, when pollinated by a male, produce gorgeous red fruit that will remain on the branches long after the leaves have fallen, well into winter (unless eaten by birds). This week we are featuring the most compact Ilex verticillata - 'Red Sprite,' maturing at about half the size of other winterberry hollies.

'Red Sprite' is a neat compact rounded shrub that matures to an average height and width of only 3-4 feet - ideal for foundation planting or in the smaller garden. This female variety produces unusually large red berries, reaching close to 1/2 inch in diameter. Like all winterberry hollies, the stems can also be cut and kept in a vase with no water for months.

In order to set fruit, 'Red Sprite' needs a male Ilex verticillata. We recommend 'Apollo' because it blooms as the same time as 'Red Sprite.' One male is sufficient to pollinate 4 females. Apollo will grow somewhat faster and taller than 'Red Sprite'. If necessary, it can be cut back in spring for consistency with 'Red Sprite.'

Planting and Care

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' will thrive in full sun, but will also tolerate partial shade. 'Red Sprite' prefers a slightly acid soil that is moist, but does just fine in normally moist soil. For best results pruning should be done in early spring just before the new growth begins.

Plant in spring to early fall. Prefers full sun to part shade. Plant 3-4 feet apart. Water regularly until established. Fertilize with Holly-Tone in the spring and fall.

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Hanging Tomato Planters - How Well Do Hanging Tomato Planters Work?

We are always on the hunt to find the best ways to grow tomatoes in our gardens. Few crops enjoy such widespread popularity, which is somewhat ironic given that they were considered poisonous in medieval times. But these days tomato growing is almost a national pastime.

But not everyone has the space or time to start a vegetable garden. So various container growing approaches have come about, but few are as popular as hanging tomato planters. Here's a sampling of why they have become popular.

First, you can use them almost anywhere. Since they hang, you don't even need floor space for them. Put one on a balcony, and many apartment dwellers can find they will grow great tomatoes. Put a hanging planter on your deck or patio, and fresh tomatoes are just outside the kitchen door, handy enough for a quick salad or to slice for a sandwich.

You don't need to weed them nearly as much as a regular garden. They are isolated from the lawn and other weeds, and there is not usually that much surface area to attract weeds in your planter.

Because you can change out the potting soil or growing medium each year, you end up with fewer problems with disease, as disease organisms will often overwinter and come back the next year. Similarly, because the soil is prepared as opposed to just using what's in your yard, you can improve the drainage and the moisture retention by using a custom mix with more organic matter or enhancements like perlite or peat moss.

Since the tomato plants hang down, the whole problem of trying to set up stakes or tomato cages is eliminated, just let them grow down to the ground, and for large indeterminate varieties you can prune them to keep the tomatoes under control. This improves the air circulation as well, which can help the pollination of the plants.

However, like most container garden approaches, the key to making it work well is to keep it watered well without water-logging the tomato plants. This is what usually sets apart one planter type from another...

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