Winterberry is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10 and shrugs off deer. Its late spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
4-10
pH Range
4.5-7.5
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Winterberry on your exact land.
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What Winterberry is
Winterberry grows as a perennial and reaches around eight feet at maturity. It blooms white in late spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Winterberry
Winterberry grows in USDA zones 4 through 10. Winterberry does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground. It needs about 400 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-10
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
-33°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
8 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
400+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant winterberry in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Winterberry prefers pH 4.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune winterberry to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — winterberry is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Winterberry offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Winterberry thrives
Winterberry is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–10·Where Winterberry growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Winterberry can grow in these states:
See if Winterberry will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether winterberry actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Winterberry in my zone?
Winterberry grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Winterberry?
Most growers plant winterberry after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Winterberry need?
Winterberry does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Winterberry need?
Winterberry prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Winterberry attract pollinators?
Yes — winterberry's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Winterberry safe for pets?
Winterberry is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.