Mr. Poppins Winterberry

Mr. Poppins® is the compact male winterberry sold as Ilex verticillata 'FARROWMRP'. It is planted chiefly to pollinate nearby female winterberries rather than for its own berry display: one male can pollinate up to five females when placed within about 50 feet. ## Identification and landscape role The Canadian Food Inspection Agency lists FARROWMRP as the cultivar denomination and Mr. Poppins as its trade name, with Michael Farrow as breeder. The U.S. plant patent is USPP25834, granted and published August 25, 2015; Canada's plant breeders' rights record lists certificate 5287, granted June 30, 2016. These dates identify the records and do not state current legal status. [Proven Winners](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/ilex/mr-poppins-winterberry-ilex-verticillata) and the [Canadian Food Inspection Agency](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/hol/app00008904e.shtml) document the exact selection. ## Form and growing site This deciduous, compact, upright shrub is listed at about 3–4 feet tall and wide, with green foliage and white flowers. Mr. Poppins is male and does not provide the red berry display of female winterberries; position it within roughly 50 feet of female plants, with one male serving up to five. The breeder lists hardiness zones 3–9 and part sun to sun, and describes it as adaptable to wet, light, and heavy soils, including saturated sites. A rain garden or wet border can accommodate it while its pollination role supports nearby berrying hollies. See the [U.S. patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP25834P2/en) for the cultivar's botanical designation and patent publication date. ## Maintenance Avoid routine pruning. Proven Winners notes that pruning can reduce flowering and fruit set in winterberry holly, and that little pruning is usually needed; old branches with weak growth can be removed in early spring.