Possumhaw
Ilex decidua
Also listed as Prinos deciduus
Also known as Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous native shrub prized for its bright red berries that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife. Inconspicuous spring flowers precede the showy fruit display.
Why grow it
Possumhaw offers reliable winter fruit persistence that extends wildlife food availability well into the dormant season, often outlasting the berries of similar deciduous hollies like winterberry. Its native range across the southeastern and south-central United States makes it an appropriate choice for those regions where it naturally supports local bird populations. The plant tolerates wet soils and partial shade better than many ornamental fruiting shrubs, making it useful for difficult sites like rain gardens or woodland edges.
Watch out for
Possumhaw performs best in consistently moist soil and may struggle in drier conditions without supplemental water during establishment. Fruit production depends on reliable pollination, so planting multiple plants improves berry set, though a single female plant will still produce fruit if male pollinators are present nearby.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous native shrub prized for its bright red berries that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife. Inconspicuous spring flowers precede the showy fruit display.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Possumhaw grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Possumhaw offers reliable winter fruit persistence that extends wildlife food availability well into the dormant season, often outlasting the berries of similar deciduous hollies like winterberry. Its native range across the southeastern and south-central United States makes it an appropriate choice for those regions where it naturally supports local bird populations. The plant tolerates wet soils and partial shade better than many ornamental fruiting shrubs, making it useful for difficult sites like rain gardens or woodland edges.
Watch out for
Possumhaw performs best in consistently moist soil and may struggle in drier conditions without supplemental water during establishment. Fruit production depends on reliable pollination, so planting multiple plants improves berry set, though a single female plant will still produce fruit if male pollinators are present nearby.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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