Mr. Poppins(R) is a compact male selection of winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) that you grow as a pollinator for nearby female winterberry cultivars. While this plant does not carry the showy berry crop itself, it helps set heavy fruit on compatible female plants planted within pollination distance, giving you the bright winter display winterberry is known for.
Plant it in moist, acidic soil that drains well but does not dry out, and keep the root zone evenly watered during establishment. Full sun to part shade works well; more sun typically supports stronger growth and better fruiting on the nearby females. At maturity, expect a tidy, dwarf habit around 36-48 inches tall with a similar spread, making it easy to tuck into mixed shrub borders, rain-garden edges, or naturalistic plantings.
To maintain shape, prune in late winter to early spring before new growth starts, and avoid heavy pruning after bud break. Pair with one or more female winterberries and enjoy a landscape planting that supports birds and other wildlife through the colder months.