Ilex verticillata 'Berry Nice'
Good Qualities:
First Year
Great foliage color.
Second Year
'Winter Gold' hold up to heavy frost. Reds my hold out until winter Xmas sales, Nov 15th.
Problems:
First Year
None
Second Year
In general I have trouble getting Ilex to grow well for me. This cultivar is no exception. It is still a "new" planting to me, but I would like to see more vigorous growth from this plant. I didn't get enough growth to do any cutting this year.; No fruit set, Leaves. Poor pollination? Some leaf spot.
Postharvest:
First Year
One trialer noted a vase life of 7days.
Second Year
None
Trial Data
First Year
| Plants Flowering (%) | Plants Dead at End of summer (%) | Yield (stems/plant) (1) | Stem Length (inches) (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 19 | 100 | - | - | - | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Range of Responses | 0-75 | 100 | - | - | - | 5.0 | 4 | 3-5 | 3-4 |
Second Year
| Plants Flowering (%) | Plants Dead at End of summer (%) | Yield (stems/plant) (1) | Stem Length (inches) (1) | Market Appreciation Rating (2) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 50.0 | 0 | - | - | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Comments:
First Year
Too soon to tell much about this cultivar.
Second Year
Similar to 'Winter Red' or 'Berry Heavy'; I'm going to try 'Southern Gentlemen' and 'Jim Dandy' males next year. I may have 'Early Male' and its not working.