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Mr. Poppins® Winterberry Holly (Ilex)

SHRUB

Description

  • Space-saving winterberry holly is just a fraction of the size of other types.
  • Does not produce berries, but is required for females to produce berries.
  • Mr. Poppins pollinates female varieties!
  • Tiny white flowers in late spring.
  • Plant one Mr. Poppins for up to five females.
  • Zones 3-9, sun/part sun, 4' tall x 4' wide at maturity.
Zone 3-9
Light part sun/sun
medium

$44.99 Each
Total
$44.99
Buy 3 get $0.50 off each
Buy 6 get $1.00 off each
Buy 9 get $1.50 off each
Buy 12 get $2.00 off each
Size
More Info on Plant Sizes

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Plant Spacing

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag
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Hand-picked at our greenhouse

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Shipped to your door

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Arrives as young plant

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More Information

Description Mr. Poppins® winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a space-saving male selection from Proven Winners. Though it does not develop berries, it must be planted near one of our female varieties for them to produce fruit. The nice thing about Mr. Poppins winterberry holly is that it is a space-saving dwarf selection, reaching just 3-4’ tall and wide. That means you can tuck this less-showy (but no less important!) plant in an out-of-the-way spot in your landscape and position the flashy female plants where they can get noticed. As long as all of the plants are within 50’ of each other, you can be assured that pollination will occur. A note about winterberry holly pollination: Winterberry holly plants are either male or female, and both a male and female plant need to be present in order for fruit to form on the female. Mr. Poppins is a male variety that is used to pollinate female varieties, like Berry Heavy or Berry Poppins. You can plant one male to pollinate up to 5 female selections. Wondering how far apart you can plant the male and female holly plants? Anywhere within about 50’ of each other – the distance you can expect a pollinator to fly on a single foraging trip – is suitable. Details How To Grow

Garden Care

Our Guide for Fall Planting

The start of fall may signal the gardening season is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! There is still plenty of time to enjoy colorful flowers and foliage or even sprinkle in some new perennials and shrubs before winter arrives.

Grow with confidence

Customer Reviews

Based on 37 reviews
70%
(26)
5%
(2)
14%
(5)
0%
(0)
11%
(4)
A
A. (Tennessee)
Very impressed!

I was very happy with the way my plants were shipped and the condition they arrived in. Mr. Poppins was a very nice sized plant and in growing well in just the few weeks I’ve had it.

T
T.S. (Michigan)
Very pleased…

Would not hesitate to order from Great Garden Plants again!

J
J.S. (Michigan)
To small

This plant was barely established in its pot then it arrived and I should not have put it in the ground till next year. It got hit with a little frost and is really tiny now. I plan on babying it for the next two years and hope for the best. It will not be able to fertilize my other females for a long while, maybe 3 years. Very disappointed in the plant. $64 dollars was no way worth this.
I have 2 acres of landscaping and it is my hobby for the last 47 years. We even have had 4 big weddings in this yard. Sorry to say, I don't think you will get me back as a customer.

We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process if necessary.

T
T.F. (Indiana)
Great customer service

My Mr Poppins arrived half dead and customer service replaced it asap. Thank you. The second one is as healthy as the Berry Poppins.

R
R.V.

Arrived healthy and prospering well.

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