Page 18 - Robeson Living Winter 2021

Have a Berry Winter

American Holly By Mack Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent

Most of us have no problem at all supporting the survival of
our fur babies and friends through the cold, dormant winter.
Many of us will also make an effort to help our feathered
friends survive our wintry days with bird feeders and offerings
of fresh water. Let’s try to consider what elements may be
missing in our landscape that will help nature’s creatures thrive
during our harsh winters. Resident birds, like bluebirds, north-
ern cardinals, and chickadees, are present in North Carolina
year-round. They spend the winter, along with other species
that migrate southward into the state from breeding areas to the
north. During cold nights and winter storms, these birds and
other wildlife reside in evergreen vegetation, including hollies,
wax myrtle, eastern redcedar, or pines. It is best to provide a di-
versity of native plant species on your property to ensure food Winter Holly
and cover will be available throughout the year. Let’s look at
some native options that support our wildlife with food and/or It blooms from April to June. Flowers, if properly pollinated,
shelter. give way to a crop of bright red berries (1/4” diameter) in late
summer to fall. Annual pruning will retain it into a shrub 3- to
Winterberry is a deciduous tree that may reach 10- to 15-feet 5-feet by 3- to 5-feet.
tall, but often occurs in the wild as a shrub. The winterberry
is a host plant for Henry’s Elfin butterfly and attracts other One of my personal favorites is American beautyberry. It is
pollinators. Its fruits are eaten by over 48 species of birds, in- a woody, deciduous, perennial shrub producing showy purple
cluding cedar waxwings, and small mammals. The foliage is a fruits in the fall. Native to the southeastern United States, this
food source for rabbits and deer. This plant has relatively in- shrub prefers full sun and is intolerant of deep shade. It will
conspicuous greenish-white flowers that appear in late spring. grow in all types of soil provided there is good drainage. Allow
Page 18 Robeson Living ~ Winter 2021