Winterberry for birds in Georgia
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ilex verticillata
- Native status
- Native in Georgia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Georgia birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 20
Growing conditions in Georgia
Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.
Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.
Georgia birds that use Winterberry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling
Summer breeders (10)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Georgia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Winterberry:
- Northern Cardinal — March–September
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
- Northern Mockingbird — February–August
Native plants to pair with Winterberry in Georgia
Frequently asked
Is Winterberry native to Georgia?
Yes. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Winterberry attract in Georgia?
In Georgia, Winterberry supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Winterberry help nesting birds in Georgia?
20 of those birds nest in Georgia: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Winterberry in Georgia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Georgia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.