I purchased Winterberry plants in B&Q a number of years ago. They were covered in red berries and of course as I did not realise at the time, are a form of ilex and were all female. Do you know where I could purchase a male. Would it have to be of the same species or would a different ilex male species suffice to cross pollinate them.
1 Answers
The plant is Ilex verticillata. It would be next to impossible to buy male plants and it is a bit irresponsible to sell female plants and to suggest that they might re-fruit.
This species is unreliable for fruiting in our low-sunshine summers, even if a male plant is available.
In theory, other species might pollinate this one, but there are issues of timing and compatibility.