As you can see, our winterberry bushes are bursting with berries, but still have their leaves on. These are holly plants that come in male and female forms, and only the females produce berries. Unlike most holiday hollies, however, all winterberry bushes are deciduous and soon will drop their leaves, thereby earning their nickname “naked hollies.”
These berries often are the only thing that keeps overwintering birds alive during the very cold months. More than 40 species of birds reportedly rely on them for survival. BUT NOTE WELL: These berries are toxic to humans and our pets.
(Image taken in Brooklin, Maine, on October 6, 2026.)