TreeRM

Possumhaw

Ilex decidua 路 Aquifoliaceae 路 also Deciduous holly, Possumhaw holly

A deciduous holly, shrub or small tree (12-20 feet), that drops its leaves in fall to reveal gray twigs loaded with bright red-orange berries that last all winter until the cedar waxwings arrive. Only female plants fruit, and they need a male holly (a yaupon works) nearby. Tolerates wet feet, shade and heat.

Broadleaf, drops leavesMedium growthSun or part shadeModerate water
Possumhaw
Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Also native in: DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, VA (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 GA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United Statessource

Recommended

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Austin, TX, United States 路 On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Holly, Possumhaw'; tolerates poor drainage, berries attract birds in winter.source

Care

Water weekly the first two summers; it prefers moist soil but handles drought once established. Prune in early spring to shape or to open a multi-trunk form. Buy a known female for berries and make sure a male yaupon or possumhaw is within a few hundred feet. Few pests beyond occasional leaf spot.

Benefits

BirdsWildlifeFlood tolerantFits small spacesPollinators

Good for

Small yardScreeningHedgerowStreambanks

Watch out for

No major cautions