Southern Gentleman Winterberry is a vigorous upright native deciduous shrub with a rounded habit and dark green foliage that turns yellow-green to purple-bronze in fall.  A male holly that doesn’t produce fruit but acts as a pollinizer.  Best planted in moist, slightly acidic well-drained soils.  Hollies are dioecious and need both male and female plants to produce fruit.  Tolerates wet, boggy conditions.

Ilex verticillata is a native food source for several animals and pollinators, and acts as a host for various moths and the Henry's Elfin Butterfly.  While the wildlife enjoys the berries they are toxic to humans.