Possumhaw Holly

Possumhaw Holly
Ilex decidua

A versatile Texas native shrub or small tree known for its bright red berries that cover the bare branches in fall and winter. Female plants produce the showy fruit when a compatible male holly is growing nearby. The berries provide valuable winter food for birds and wildlife, while small spring flowers support bees and other pollinators. Possumhaw works well as a specimen tree, natural screen, wildlife planting, or seasonal landscape accent.

Care: Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly during establishment, then provide occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Possumhaw tolerates both dry and seasonally moist soils once established. Prune in late winter as needed to shape the plant or develop a single-trunk tree form.

Mature Size: Approximately 10–20 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide.