Winterberry holly is the best red in a January garden, and it is the plant people most often call us about when it has never fruited. Usually the plant is healthy and simply alone.
Ilex verticillata has separate male and female plants, and only pollinated females carry berries. Plant one male within reach of several females, and match bloom times: ‘Jim Dandy’ flowers early and suits early females such as ‘Red Sprite’, while ‘Southern Gentleman’ flowers later and suits ‘Winter Red’.
The male does not need to be a feature. Tuck it at the back, where its plainer winter look will not matter.