Russian Almond vs Winterberry - TreeTime.ca

Russian Almond vs Winterberry

Prunus tenella

Ilex verticillata

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Russian Almond
Winterberry

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Winterberry is a small shrub that produces large quantities of bright red berries that remain on the plant through the fall and into the winter. Adding this shrub to your yard will give it a unique splash of color and attract birds, especially after the leaves drop.

Note: although the foliage is attractive on its own, you need at least one male plant near your female plants or they won't produce berries.

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Winterberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: yellow-green
Fall colour: bright orange to red
Flowers: bright pink
Berries: bright red, stays through winter
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: dwarf russian almond
Other Names: black alder, canada holly, coralberry, fever bush, michigan holly, winterberry holly