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ornamental shrub

Red Sprite winterberry

Plant a compatible male winterberry such as Jim Dandy for berry set.

Zones 3a-9a
First output 1-2 yrs
Spacing 3-8 ft apart
Output 4-16 weeks of bloom/display/year
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compact native winterberrybird-friendly fruit

Growing Profile

Hardiness
Zones 3a-9a
Sun
FullPartial
Soil
LoamClay
Water
Medium
Planting depth
Set the crown or top of root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Container min
10+ gal (workable)
Goals
Curb appeal & colorPollinators & wildlifeNative plants

Harvest & Use

Window
red winter berries on bare stems
Output
4-16 weeks of bloom/display/year
First output
1-2 yrs
Best for
Curb appeal & colorPollinators & wildlifeNative plants

Timing: red winter berries on bare stems. This profile tracks 4-16 weeks of bloom/display/year with a harvest or display window of 4-16 weeks where defensible.

Source listing: Amazon Search Amazon

Plant photos

What it looks like in the garden

Use these photos to compare the plant's leaves, stems, flowers, fruit, and overall habit before you buy or plant.

Holly branch showing evergreen leaves and berries.
Plant photo Holly branch showing leaves and berries.

Photos show a representative plant in the garden. Fruit color, size, and growth habit can vary by cultivar, season, nursery stock, and site.

Photo sources: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Quantitative Profile

Full output
3-5 yrs
Mature size
3-10 ft H x 3-10 ft W
Spacing
3-8 ft apart
Planting depth
Set the crown or top of root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Container min
10+ gal (workable)
Productive life
10-30 yrs
Difficulty
2/5
Reliability
4/5
Data quality
Medium profile, No pound-yield source

Pound return is the stock-style yield metric. These are planning ranges for comparing plants, not guarantees. Cultivar, rootstock, climate, soil, pruning, pest pressure, and wildlife can move actual results.

Planting Checklist

8 items

Plant by ZIP may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through checklist links.

  • Right-size container with drainage

    Containers / Before planting

    Use a container large enough for mature roots, with open drainage holes to prevent root rot.

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  • Expanding container potting mix

    Containers / Before planting

    Use a lighter container medium instead of dense garden soil in pots and grow bags.

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  • Digging spade or shovel

    Tools / Planting day

    Open planting holes, loosen compacted soil, and shape beds for larger transplants.

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  • Organic mulch

    Soil / After planting

    Hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and protect shallow roots.

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  • Finished compost

    Soil / Bed prep

    Improve bed structure and organic matter before planting annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.

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  • Watering wand or can

    Watering / Planting day

    Water new transplants gently without washing soil away from the crown or roots.

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  • Rabbit or deer protection

    Protection / After planting

    Guard young edible, native, and ornamental plants until they can tolerate browsing.

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  • Loppers or pruning saw

    Maintenance / First dormant season

    Handle woody stems and branches too large for hand pruners.

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Planting Strategy

  • Planting depth: Set the crown or top of root ball level with the surrounding soil.
  • Container minimum: 10+ gal (workable). Use 10+ gal; larger containers improve moisture buffering at maturity.
  • Start with one plant when testing fit in a new bed or container.

Risk Factors

  • Match the site first: full, partial light, loam, clay soil, and medium water.
  • Use 3-8 ft apart as the first spacing model; adjust for hedges, trellises, containers, or local guidance.
  • Plan around mature size: 3-10 ft H x 3-10 ft W.
  • Plan pollination or companion context before planting; nearby varieties can matter for fruit set.
  • Native-plant cues are starting points; confirm regional nativity, straight-species versus cultivar status, and local invasive guidance.

Related Planning Guides

Planting calendar Use ZIP-based hardiness and frost context to plan seed-starting, direct-sow, transplanting, and nursery planting windows. Native plants Browse native-cue plants that can support habitat, pollinators, edible landscapes, and lower-maintenance planting plans.

Comparable Plants

Plant Zones First output Yield (lbs) Difficulty Why it is a peer
American beautyberry 6a-10a 1-2 yrs Not available yet 2/5 Same form with 3 overlapping goals. Arrowwood viburnum 3a-8a 1-2 yrs Not available yet 2/5 Same form with 3 overlapping goals. Blackhaw viburnum 3a-9a 1-2 yrs Not available yet 2/5 Same form with 3 overlapping goals. Blue Muffin arrowwood viburnum 3a-8a 1-2 yrs Not available yet 2/5 Same form with 3 overlapping goals.

Sources & Methodology

This guide combines hardiness range, light, soil, water, harvest timing, traits, source listings, plant relationships, and quantitative planning metrics. Pairings are screened for practical garden fit.

Quantitative values use extension and botanical-reference ranges where available. For less-studied cultivars, similar crops fill gaps conservatively. Ranges are intentionally broad so the profile stays useful without pretending to be exact.

Quantitative sources: NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxMissouri Botanical Garden Plant FinderUniversity of Maryland Extension - Planting a Tree or ShrubUniversity of Maryland Extension - Starting a Home Fruit GardenUniversity of Maryland Extension - Types of Containers for Growing Vegetables

Source listing: Amazon. Search links are not paid placements unless explicitly marked; affiliate listings may earn a commission. Last reviewed: 2026-05-24.