The American holly (Ilex opaca) is a native evergreen tree that can grow to 60 feet. It has plenty to offer throughout the year, but is most spectacular in winter when its dark green leaves and red, berry-like fruits provide wonderful color and contrast to an otherwise leafless landscape. These traits also make the American…
One of the few deciduous hollies, winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) produces an abundance of persistent red berries that provide a splash of color throughout winter. Commonly found in both wooded areas and swampy areas, this holly will grow 6 to 10 feet tall in an upright, spreading manner. They grow best in moist, poorly drained…
The Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a lovely, evergreen fern that offers year-round interest. It provides a bit of deep green color on gloomy winter days and the fiddleheads, or crosiers, provide interest in spring as they begin to unfurl against the previous year’s leaves. Its common name is a reference to how early settlers…