Possumhaw
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Ilex decidua
Ilex decidua is a deciduous holly that is commonly called possum haw. It occurs on limestone glades and bluffs, along streams in wet woods, lowland valleys, sloughs, and swamps. An upright shrub with a spreading, rounded crown typically grows 7-15' tall in cultivation. Obovate, narrow, glossy, dark green leaves turn dull purplish green to yellow in autumn. The whitish flowers of both male and female plants are relatively inconspicuous. Pollinated female flowers give way to orange-red berries, which ripen in September and persist throughout the winter until mid-March when new growth begins. Birds, deer, and a variety of small mammals are attracted to the fruit.
They are quickly grown in average, medium moisture soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to light and heavy soils but prefers moist, acidic, organic soils. They have some tolerance for wet conditions. Plants of this species are mostly dioecious, but some plants have perfect flowers. For the best show of berries, plant female plants with at least one male plant to ensure pollination. These shrubs are known to make suckers from the base. Keep your pruners sharp to shape in early spring or remove unwanted new growth.
Height: 6’-14’
Spread: 4’-12’
Bloom: May
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: North America
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
