Learn all about Ilex (winterberry), my favorite fall and winter branch for floral design

Ilex, or winterberry, is my favorite fall and winter branch for design. I can get ilex as soon as late October and it lasts through the end of the year. There are some developments to improve this shrub for florists.
The Flower Podcast recently interviewed Lane Devries of Sun Valley Floral Farms about the exciting work they are doing to create better ilex for the cut flower market.
Ilex is tough to handle. It's a mess. Branches get easily tangled. Pulling them apart gingerly will invariable knock off the coveted berries. But they look great. Ilex provides variety, color and texture. It enhances all of my fall and winter designs.
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[@LindasFlowersandVegetablesGard]

Beautiful winterberry! Thanks for sharing!

[@ellenfrostflowers]

Thanks for watching! Do you ever use winterberry?

[@marniestetson5687]

I listened to that podcast too and found it so fascinating!

[@ellenfrostflowers]

It was wasn't it! Are you growing any winterberry?

[@marniestetson5687]

I have a few, but I bought more from Farmer Bailey coming in the spring!@@ellenfrostflowers

[@davedowling7492]

Loved the closeup of the smooshed berries on floor and shoe. (I'm sure Eric was involved in that.) You can string up the loose berries, before they get smashed, to make a cute mini garland for the tree or window.

[@ellenfrostflowers]

Obviously Eric was involved with the smooshed berries! haha!

[@jlp4111]

I planted 2 red varieties and their pollinator Mr. Poppins this year in the front yard. Will have to get more next spring to plant out in the field!

[@ellenfrostflowers]

That's awesome! they really do offer a lot of color and texture in the Fall and Winter.