Sensible people do not plant male Hollies without female Hollies because only the females produce the bright red berries we all love. Give the female 'Winter Red' a prominent spot, and tuck a male such as 'Southern Gentleman', which is necessary for pollination, in an out-of-the-way corner. A male can be up to 40ft from a female without reducing fruit set.

'Winter Red' tolerates a range of light conditions but insists on acid soil. Prune plants in late winter or after bloom. Keep in mind that pruning at either time will reduce fruit production in fall.

The genus Ilex includes 350 species, and the majority of trees and shrubs in it appear as spiny, evergreens with red berries. Harder to find are selections of our deciduous, native species, Ilex verticillata.