Ilex serrata, commonly known as Japanese Winterberry, is a deciduous shrub native to forest margins, wetlands, and along streams in Japan and South-Central China. It typically grows up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) in height. The plant features ovate, finely toothed, dark green leaves and small pinkish to white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they give way to bright red berries on the female plants, which are highly ornamental and persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds.

Japanese Winterberry is valued for its bright red berries and is often used in residential landscapes, as a specimen plant, or for naturalizing in wet areas. It is also popular for use in rain gardens due to its tolerance for wet conditions. This shrub prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soils and can thrive in full sun to part shade. While it is generally easy to maintain, it may be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew. It is dioecious, meaning separate male and female plants are needed for fruit production; one male plant can pollinate several females.CC BY-SA 4.0