The first one is Ilex verticillata. The second is a Cornus, ie a Dogwood. Are the stems reddish, particularly in winter? Or do they stay green?

Yes, #1 winterberry (Ilex v.).

You need a male and a female plant in order to get 'berries'.

The plant in your picture appears to be a male.

Only females get the bright red berries that persist into winter.

Thank you, floral_uk and tsugajunkie.

For the Ilex verticillata, things are coming into focus. There is a lot of it growing up our hill in and around wetlands. I have snipped some with the red berries for the house and as the red berries readily fall from the snipped twigs, that might be how this shrub came to gro in my gravel driveway. This shrub may be too in our way. Do you think it would transplant well? I wish it had more red fruits (this species),

Regarding the Cornus ____. I don’t believe the stems turn red in winter. I looked at some images of Pagoda Dogwood. Interesting. I think I have some larger speciment at the SW side of our property. I will take a look soon.

I have not been able to do as much yardwork as I would like, so a lot of plants have come along. Some are pests, like oriental bittersweet that I hope it’s not too late in the season to get after.

Thanks for your help.

Seems like Pagoda dogwood especially considering the green stems. Characterized by alternate instead of opposite leaves, but often the leaves are so closely spaced that it can be hard to tell.

Thanks, Ben. The leaves appear to alternate. Here is a better shot.

imo: If I had that much Ilex verticillata growing wild on my property, I'd go out and dig a smaller (female) specimen and put that one where you want it. And just discard the larger established one (eta: it's a male anyway). A smaller specimen will adjust easier than a larger bush will. And they grow fast.

As you mentioned, they like water so don't let the new one get too dry, until it's established.

Pagoda dogwood is a fine small tree, except like mine, if their leaves are attacked relentlessly by the dogwood sawfly larvae. The berries are savored by birds and will not last long once ripe (usually in August).

BillMN, there appear to be a lot of stems close together. How do I tell a female? it will have those flowers? There are no flowers or even berries discernable now, 18 October.

Ben, I discover a couple small saplings close together, perhaps 5 ft. tall. Leaves are maroon and ready to fall. I’m not sure if the ones out back are still there. Yes, the birds seem to like the berries (unless they just fall off).

petalique,

Both the female and male winterberries will have flowers, that's how they pollinate. :-)

You'll have to wait until spring.

But if you look closely, when the flowers open, the male flowers only have stamens where the female flowers have a small, rounded 'pistil' at the center.

You can read more and see some pictures at this site: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1623

The male and female flowers are on separate plants. It is possibe to tell them apart by the flowers. The females will have a bump in the centre rather than stamens bearing pollen. The flowers in your photo are male. There are pictures of both sexes if you Google. Otherwise just look for a bush with berries and that will be a female.

ps I think Bill meant to write pollinate rather than germinate.

Ah, thanks for catching that Floral!

I'll correct the error above to 'pollinate'. :^)

👍