Possumhaw Holly

Ilex Decidua

Possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua) is a native deciduous, medium-sized shrub that can be trained into a small, multi-trunked tree. Covered with striking red berries all winter, possumhaw holly brings beauty to what might otherwise be a colorless winter landscape. Those berries are also a great winter food source for birds. Also known as winterberry, for obvious reasons, possumhaw holly does well with very little care or maintenance, although you might want to prune it a bit, to shape it.

Plant in full sun or light shade, and water sparingly once established. Getting only 15 to 20 feet tall and branching to almost as wide at maturity, possumhaw holly tends to have a twiggy growth habit that some may not find attractive. But if you have an area that you tend to leave a bit on the natural, even wild side, this shrub will look right at home.