Yes. Female holly flowers have that green dome in the centre which will become the berry. Anything which can move from a male flower to a female can pollinate. But since m and f are on separate trees I doubt ants do it for hollies.

I have been growing a winterberry holly Sprite in zone 6a. I had two of the female plants, but deer feed on them so consistently that one died. What has happened for me is that pollination was very iffy in morning shade. The plants flowered, no problem. The pollinators, however, only visited the few branch tips that reached into the sun. It is still cool when my winterberry hollies flower, and my pollinators did not want to ventures into the shade! My male pollinator is on a steep sunny hillside hidden from my view. It stays quite dry there. The plant does not look a nice as it did when I grew it on level ground with more moisture, but it still lives and flowers well. I have moved my existing female Sprite to a place that is still only part sun, but gets that sun from 8:30. am to 11:30 am, which coincides with my pollinators peak activity. I can't tell you yet if this will be successful, as flowering has not begun for me yet this season. I hope this helps a bit!

Urchinsushi I don't honestly remember the pollinator I got for my viburnums - I don't remember any of the viburnums I got! I have to find and then look in my records. Sorry! I did take some photos though of the berries in the garden I care for. Winter Red ilex Can't remember which this is - want to say Winter Gold but the berries are yellower and paler. Perhaps Berry Heavy Gold but I'm not sure. Not many berries yet but this shrub has had some repeated abuse - winter storms, yard crew damage etc. Berries on ilex... Blue Princess? Gee this post is making me realize how bad I've become at remembering names! Berries on viburnum (left) and possible Blue Princess holly (right) More viburnum berries Callicarpa - I think Early Amethyst Love this! I like my Pearl Glam but think I'm going to have to get an Early Amethyst too. :) Dee

Hi beesandblues88: You don't indicate where you garden. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) is a great plant for moist soils, and they really love acid sandy loams that grace the mid Atlantic coastal states. They have done very well for me here in calcareous limestone-based clay soils of the Ohio River valley region of the central Kentucky Bluegrass. You are not going to be disappointed in either plant. Select for ultimate size and color, and possibly for duration of fruit display. You will need a plant with male (staminate, pollen producing) flowers to go with these female Winterberry Holly selections. This web page from Proven Winners (who sell plants, but in this case provide quality information) has the nuts and bolts explained well. https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/finding-right-plant/ultimate-guide-winterberry-holly In summary: many times, new plants are named to sell new plants. You may notice no difference in performance in your landscape. As a veteran of such pursuits, I'd suggest you join the Holly Society of America, where you will experience and learn more about the genus Ilex than you ever thought possible! If you just want a ton of fruit that can last all winter, you should plant 'Winter Red' along with a 'Southern Gentleman'. These are full size Winterberry Holly selections, but there really is no competition. Take a gander at "...what is the difference..."