Ilex 'Mr. Poppins’

Ilex verticillata 'Mr. Poppins': The Essential Pollinator for Heavy Winter Berry Set

Ilex verticillata 'Mr. Poppins' is a Proven Winners® winterberry holly grown as a male pollinator to ensure strong berry production on female winterberries. While it does not produce showy fruit, it plays a vital role in the garden by providing the pollen needed for reliable berry set on compatible varieties. It also offers a tidy, upright form with clean green foliage through the growing season, making it easy to tuck into mixed plantings without drawing attention away from the berry display it supports.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 3–4’
• Spread: 3–4’
• Flower Colour: White
• Flowering Period: Early spring
• Foliage: Green, deciduous shrub foliage
• Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, acidic, organic-rich soil; tolerates wetter sites

Uses and Benefits: Plant Mr. Poppins near female winterberries to maximize berry production in fall and winter. Its compact, upright habit makes it easy to include in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and naturalized areas without taking up extra space. It is especially useful in smaller gardens where you want the benefit of pollination without introducing a large, fruitless shrub. One plant can pollinate multiple compatible female winterberries within the same area.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during the first season to establish, then maintain even moisture during dry spells for best growth and flowering. Mulch helps conserve moisture and supports the slightly acidic soil winterberry prefers. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape if needed, although it typically maintains a neat form on its own. Place it within the same general planting area as female winterberries so pollination happens easily in spring.

History: Winterberry holly is a North American native valued for cold-season fruit on female plants and adaptability to moist soils. 'Mr. Poppins' was selected as a compact male pollinator to support heavy berry production on space-smart female winterberry varieties, especially those in the Proven Winners® lineup.

Final Thoughts: If you want a winterberry planting that truly performs, Mr. Poppins is the quiet partner that makes the berry show possible, ensuring your garden shines when winter arrives.