Raritan Chief Winterberry Holly

Raritan Chief Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata 'Raritan Chief')

Raritan Chief Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata 'Raritan Chief') is a reliable male pollinator selected to ensure heavy fruit set in female winterberry cultivars with mid-to-late bloom cycles. Though it does not produce berries itself, its durable structure, native adaptability, and consistent flowering make it an essential companion plant in holly-focused designs.

Distinctive Features

'Raritan Chief' reaches 6 to 8 feet tall and forms a rounded, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous white flowers that provide pollen for a wide range of female Ilex verticillata cultivars, including 'Winter Red' and 'Maryland Beauty'. With clean, dark green foliage and upright form, it blends seamlessly into mixed borders or native plantings while performing a critical reproductive role.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, acidic soil; tolerates clay and poorly drained sites
• Water: Moderate to high; prefers consistent soil moisture
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Serves a foundational role in enabling fruit set in female hollies
• Mixed Borders: Integrates easily with ornamental and native shrubs
• Naturalized Landscapes: Suited for woodland edges and wetland borders
• Pollinator Support: Ensures berry development in compatible winterberry plantings
• Rain Gardens: Thrives in low, seasonally wet areas

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment
• Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain form or remove older stems
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced, acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring
• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and prevent weed competition
• Site Placement: Plant within 50 feet of female winterberries for effective pollination

Why Choose Raritan Chief Winterberry Holly?

• Essential Pollinator: Enables fruiting in many mid-season and late-blooming female varieties
• Adaptable Native: Well-suited to a wide range of soils and moisture levels
• Reliable Performance: Consistent bloom timing and compatibility
• Low Maintenance: Durable and easy to care for
• Focal Point: A quiet workhorse that supports bold winter displays in berry-producing hollies

Ilex verticillata 'Raritan Chief' provides the pollination power behind some of the best winterberry displays, offering structure, reliability, and native toughness in a discreet and essential landscape role.