POSSUMHAW
Ilex decidua
(EYE-leks dee-SID-yoo-uh)
Deciduous Yaupon, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly,
Prairie Holly, Welk Holly, Bearberry, Winterberry
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
| Description | This ornamental Texas Superstar is a native, deciduous shrub or small tree prized for its showy fruit |
| Plant habit | Medium shrub to small tree with an irregular, spreading and open crown |
| Landscape use |
Plant as a specimen tree, or group for visual impact (fall berries) Ideal planted along edges of woodlands or naturalized borders Low maintenance |
| Average mature size | 15’ tall x 10’ wide (species can vary widely) |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Sun exposure |
Sun to part sun/shade Fruits best with at least six hours of sun |
| Soil requirements | Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions |
| Water requirements |
Low; drought tolerant once established Easy to grow in any soil, even with poor drainage |
| Heat tolerance | Moderate |
| Foliage |
Deciduous At first frost the leaves yellow and drop |
| Flowers | Dioecious: flowers on separate male and female plants |
| Blooming period | Spring |
| Fruit characteristics |
Fruits only on female plant (look for plants with berries at the nursery) Plant male species to ensure pollination (1 male: 9 female) Red-orange drupes persist through winter (color depends on variety), providing visual interest; wildlife food source |
| Bark | Attractive, scaly |
| Pests and disease | None serious |
| Other |
Earth Kind plant: tolerates infrequent watering, poor soils, and is relatively pest and disease free This plant gets its name due to its confusion with hawthorn and its attraction to possums. |
“If I had my way, I’d want every gardener in the south to enjoy the winter beauty of
Possumhaw.”
- Sally Waskowski, Gardening With Native Plants of the South.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|