{"id":12736,"date":"2021-10-11T12:00:40","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T16:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/?p=12736"},"modified":"2020-11-14T18:56:05","modified_gmt":"2020-11-14T23:56:05","slug":"%ef%bb%bfpossum-haw-holly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/2021\/10\/11\/%ef%bb%bfpossum-haw-holly\/","title":{"rendered":"\ufeffPossum Haw Holly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Possum haw (Ilex decidua<\/em>) is a deciduous holly, grown as a large shrub or small tree. Its colorful winter berries brighten woodlands along creeks and rivers in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 -9). It is known by a number of common names, including bearberry, winterberry, deciduous holly, among others. Its popular name \u201cpossum haw\u201d comes from the fact that opossums feed on its fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a shrub possum haw grows 8 feet to 15 feet high and 8 feet to 10 feet wide. Tree forms grow 18-25 feet tall, depending on cultivar. It may be utilized it as a single fruit-bearing female specimen plant if a male pollinator shrub is nearby. Or plant several for a deciduous privacy hedge or screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small white flowers open in late April in Tennessee and Virginia (USDA hardiness zones 6 -7). Based on the cultivar grown, colorful berries may be crimson, scarlet, orange, gold or yellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant the appropriate male pollinating variety among many fruit bearing females to insure a bountiful crop of colorful berries from mid-autumn thru the winter months which attract wildlife (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White flowers open in late April in the Southern Appalachian region. Possum haw has an attractive branching habit and gray bark. The 1\u00bd- to 3-inch long oval leaves are glossy dark green in summer and transition to a rich yellow fall color before abscising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various forms – from weeping to upright – and with other fruit colors are being developed and introduced. Florists are utilizing heavily fruited branches in decorating; the fruits persist for many weeks. Few serious disease and pest problems trouble this shrub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possumhaw can be found on limestone glades and bluffs, along streams in wet woods, and in lowland valleys, sloughs and swamps. It is an upright shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded crown. Its bark is gray-brown and smooth with occasional warts.\u00a0 Birds, deer and a variety of small mammals (including opossums as the common name suggests) are attracted to the fruit.\u00a0 Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Council Fire’ is a female plant and needs a male pollinator (e.g., male Ilex decidua<\/em> or Ilex opaca<\/em> ‘Jersey Knight’) for berry production. One male plant is usually adequate to pollinating 9-10 female plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Raritan Chief\u2019 \u2013 a male clone used to pollinate many deciduous holly hybrids, as it flowers over a long period. It may reach 12 feet tall and features attractive glossy, light green foliage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Varieties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n