# 5415 - 2019 First-Class Forever Stamp - Winter Berries: Winterberry

When autumn arrives and temperatures turn cool, most trees and bushes lose their leaves and fruit in preparation for winter.  But some plants, like the winterberry, hold onto their fruit well into the snowy season.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillate) is a variety of holly found in the eastern United States and southeast Canada.  It is sometimes called black alder, Canada holly, coralberry, fever bush, or Michigan holly.  Winterberry shrubs can be 3-16 ft tall and produce either male or female plants.  The two must be relatively near each other in order for the female plant to produce its iconic red fruit.

Winterberry bushes are an essential food source for certain species of birds during the winter months.  This is why many bird enthusiasts will supplement winter bird feeders by planting winterberry in their backyards.  The plant is very easy to grow and tolerates a variety of soil conditions and temperatures.  It is also hardly ever afflicted by disease or prests.

The gray days of winter can be dreary, but not with plants like the winterberry in your backyard.  Its clusters of bright red fruit will bring a splash of color to the landscape and act as a reminder of the spring and summer months to come.