While deciduous hollies (Ilex spp.) are well known among home gardeners, surprisingly few plant them (USDA hardiness zones 3-9 variable by species). In the fall, their branches and twigs are covered in bright red berries. Orange and yellow berried varieties are additional choices. Birds love them, too.

Deciduous hollies do not have prickly leaves like evergreen hollies. Their foliage is soft and non-spiny. Two prominent native species — winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and possumhaw (Ilex decidua) and Japanese winterberry (Ilex serrata) — are planted. Numerous hybrid crosses are also available.

Plant deciduous hollies from spring into early fall in a full to part day sun location (five or more hours best). Deciduous hollies prefer moist, acidic soils, and don’t mind wet ground. Possumhaw grow tall and wide in moderately alkaline soil. Most important with hollies is that female cultivars must be matched to one or more specific male clones (such as ‘Raritan Chief’ (possumhaw), ‘Jim Dandy’ or ‘Southern Gentlemen’ to winterberry hollies, and Apollo’ to ‘Sparkleberry’ holly for best pollination.

Few gardeners take notice of the tiny white flowers in spring. Insect pollinators do frequent the blooms. Bloom varies with the species group. Cultivar heights vary from 2 to 18 feet high and 4 to 10 feet wide. Give individual plants plenty of room.

Two-year established shrubs are moderately drought tolerant, but produce greater numbers of berries if summer rainfall is adequate. Fertilize in March or April with an acidic organic slow-release fertilizer such as Holly-tone® or Osmocote®. No serious insect or disease problems trouble deciduous hollies.

Clip off berry-covered twigs and branches in fall and winter to bring indoors and arrange in tall vases; no need to add water as cut stems will last quite awhile. When shrubs grow too large, cut them back in early spring by one-third or more, even to the ground. Renewal pruned deciduous hollies will quickly emerge from suckers.

Hedges of deciduous hollies attract all kinds of birds to your property and offer nesting and winter protection for our feathered friends. For best accent plant them against a background of needled evergreens, the red winter berries will stand out.

EXTRA info: Orange-red berried (Ilex verticillata ‘Aurantiaca’) and (I. v. ‘Afterglow’) grows 6 to 8 feet tall, and fruits fade to orange-yellow. Compact cultivar ‘Red Sprite’ stays about 5 feet tall and both are pollinated with ‘Jim Dandy’.