Apollo Winterberry Holly Shrub

The National Arboretum records the named selection as *Ilex* ‘Apollo’; USDA GRIN records a male shrub with parentage from Japanese winterberry (*Ilex serrata*) and American winterberry (*Ilex verticillata*). This upright, deciduous hybrid is grown as a late-season pollenizer, not for berries of its own. It reaches about 10–12 feet tall; published nursery spread estimates range from 4–8 feet. [USDA GRIN](https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=2107853) [Woodlanders](https://woodlanders.net/products/ilex-serrata-x-verticellata-apollo) [Horsford Nursery](https://horsfordnursery.com/ilex-x-verticillata-apollo/) ## Pollination and Landscape Use Apollo is a male selection with a late-season flowering period. Woodlanders identifies it as a pollenizer for female ‘Sparkleberry’ and ‘Winter Red’; plant it within about 50 feet of compatible females whose bloom overlaps. NC State Extension also advises matching flowering periods between male and female winterberries. Its upright size suits the back of a border or a hedgerow, where it can supply pollen without being counted on for winter fruit. [Woodlanders](https://woodlanders.net/products/ilex-serrata-x-verticellata-apollo) [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-verticillata/common-name/winterberry-holly/) ## Site and Seasonal Interest Give Apollo full sun to part shade and acidic, consistently moist soil. Woodlanders reports tolerance for poorly drained or boggy ground, while NC State describes winterberries more broadly as plants of moist, acidic soil. Small white flowers appear in late spring; new leaves flush burgundy before settling to green, then turn yellow in fall. The male plant is deciduous and produces no berries itself. [Woodlanders](https://woodlanders.net/products/ilex-serrata-x-verticellata-apollo) [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-verticillata/common-name/winterberry-holly/) ## Cultivar Identity USDA GRIN records the selection under the interim hybrid taxon *Ilex hybr.* and lists its cultivar name as ‘Apollo’; the National Arboretum narrative documents its cross between *Ilex serrata* and *Ilex verticillata*. That record supports retaining the cultivar while correcting the overly narrow species assignment. [USDA GRIN](https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=2107853) ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist and use the plant's tolerance of wet ground for appropriate damp sites. Woodlanders notes that the male can be pruned in late winter to control size or shape without concern for its own fruit. Maintain a compatible female winterberry nearby for pollination. [Woodlanders](https://woodlanders.net/products/ilex-serrata-x-verticellata-apollo)