Happy Holly Days Vol. 2

Ilex verticillata, or winterberry, is a landscape sleeper hit. It grows inconspicuously throughout the season, as it lacks eye-catching size, shape, color or texture, and its flowers are equally ordinary. But come autumn, it breaks out of the background with a stunning display of brightly colored fruits which are accentuated by grey, leafless branches. The winterberry can effectively occupy tricky niches in garden borders or landscape edges; it is suitable as the backbone of a design, but it can equally hold its own as a specimen plant. 

Like all hollies, winterberry shrubs are dioecious, or in ancient Greek, “of two households”. This means male and female organs occur on completely different plants. One male for every five female shrubs should be planted within 40 feet of another to ensure thorough pollination and fruit set. A higher number of female plants per male plants will increase food value for wildlife and aesthetic value for humans, but there still must be enough males nearby to get a stunning display of winter fruits. Speaking of fruits, winterberry is another botanical misnomer-the fruits are technically drupes. Drupes are a single seed with a hard covering (the pit), a fleshy middle layer (pulp), and surrounded with a thin skin covering. Commonly recognized drupes are also known as stone fruits: peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and mangoes. 

Male winterberry flowers. 

Female winterberry flowers. 

As you can see, some of our favorite foods are drupes, and birds feel the same! Winterberry hollies host 48 different species of birds for winter fodder and nesting sites, including cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, bluebirds, and robins. It is an extremely important food source for those species that do not migrate for the winter and need sustenance. During migration season, the drupes are still unripe and unpalatable, so migratory birds pass them up in favor for whatever else is in season. The low fat and high sugar content of the winterberries makes them relatively shelf-stable, and as winter progresses, the drupes soften and become edible for non-migratory birds. If planting winterberry solely for the birds, it’s best to stick to the straight species as there is limited research on how cultivated varieties of native plants support wildlife.

But, if you are looking for a winter ornamental knockout, look no further than the dozens of winterberry cultivars introduced into the horticultural trade. Many cultivars have been developed to remain small, at or under 5ft, which are ideal for introducing more biodiversity in limited spaces, and even more cultivars have been develop for a variety in fruit color which include red, yellow, and orange. At the arboretum we have about 15 varieties of Ilex verticillata, the oldest of which are straight species planted in the 1970s. A popular cultivar, ‘Winter Red’, was developed to keep the fruits persistent throughout the winter, well into February. The cut stems will also last for months indoors (with out water), making them an ideal element for winter floral arrangements and holiday decorations. ‘Winter Gold’ was developed from a branch sport of ‘Winter Red’ that happened to have mutated into an orange color. The holidays are the perfect time to visit the Holly Walk and see these winterberry cultivars in peak fruiting, along with many other evergreen varieties. 

Ilex verticillata ‘Chrysocarpa’ 

Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’

 Ilex verticillata ‘Winter’s Gold’

New Entrance Gates

As you come visit this holiday season, take note of the newly installed gates at the entrance. Historically, the entrance of the property was at the gate house located in the far Northwest corner. When Olivia James Cutting donated the land to New York State, a new entrance was constructed directly onto Montauk Hwy. This was to allow proper spacing for a two lane road and an operating booth to collect tolls. Since officially opened to the public in 1954, this is the entrance we still use today. 

The front entrance was a simple gate up until 2000. Roadwork and bridge repair on Montauk Hwy caused the Arboretum Entrance to be moved slightly. The service entrance was relocated as well. Some tree clearing and other inconveniences had to be taken into consideration for the major DOT construction. However, the Arboretum did use this opportunity to evaluate the front entrance. In 2000, a hydraulic gate system with automatic opening and closing was installed. The gates were updated to resemble the pair at the gatehouse. These were designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted in the late 1880s. In our historical archives, we have Olmsted’s drawings and vision for the entrance. It was a thoughtful and deliberate decision to install replica gates at the front entrance.

After 24 years, the entrance gates have seen better days. The hydraulic system failed a handful of years ago and the wood has been rotting. The gate saw extra pressure and use from the Visitor Center construction as well. It was time to upgrade our gates once again. We relied on a collaborative effort to see this project through. The regional field carpenters did a fantastic job recreating the Olmsted gates using Douglas fir lumber. The regional field electricians upgraded and rerouted the electrical lines. A local welder repaired the metal bracings and hinges. Our staff stained the wood and hung the gates. In the upcoming weeks, the brand new automatic system will be hooked up to allow our staff to manage the gate safely and easily. With the funding from the Bayard Cutting Horticultural Society and the Arboretum Trust, we were able to complete this project. It is always rewarding to observe a collaborative effort and see a project through. 

Projects like these are constant at the Arboretum. At 70 years open to the public, we are prioritizing certain issues and preparing for future upgrades necessary to keep the Arboretum running smoothly. Thanks to everyone assisting in our new entrance gates. We look forward to welcoming our visitors for years to come! If you would like to donate towards our upcoming projects, please visit our website. 

-Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Tribute Tree & Engraved Paver Program

There are three options to choose from: 

• Engraved Paver: ($500) 6"x12" located on the Visitor Center patio.

• Maple Tier: ($2500) 6"x12" engraved paver with maple leaf icon and a small specimen tree.

• Oak Tier: ($3500) 6"x12" engraved paver with oak leaf icon to recognize the highest level of giving and a large specimen tree.

Place your order online before the deadline of December 31, 2024.

Limited space is available for this year's campaign. Unveiling Ceremony will be held at the Visitor Center in Spring 2025.

Please contact Rosemary Cannarella at rosemary.cannarella@parks.ny.gov or 631-263-1596 with inquiries.

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@bayardcuttingarboretumsp

Blowing out our irrigation by the Visitor Center.

Chase Callahan, Horticulturist

Forest Bathing Walk

Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk to reconnect with the natural world around us.

Monthly programs, typically first Saturday of the month.

Fee: $40 per person.

Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors. Register here!

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