What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 28: possum haw

These holly natives are so beautiful and are great pollinators and wildlife friendly trees - I planted these two last fall. I’m surprised they actually made it; the area I planted them is a major dog highway for our three when they go out on farm romps, and these possum haws were uprooted many times between the dogs running through/over and certain very large pollinators uprooting them.

You can barely see them in this shot, but there’s a possum haw in the center of each fence panel.

Here’s a closer look:

I managed to get a shot of the large pollinators who messed with them all winter:

This was before I cut back the iris and daffodil leaves.

I’m looking forward to seeing these possum haws grow and mature. I can imagine how they’ll look with their bright orange berries in the fall/winter against the backdrop of the barn.

More info:

Northington, David K. 

Ilex decidua

Ilex decidua Walter

Possumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly, Prairie Holly, Swamp Holly, Welk Holly, Deciduous Yaupon, Bearberry, Winterberry

Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)

Synonym(s): Ilex curtissii, Ilex decidua var. curtissii

USDA Symbol: ilde

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Deciduous holly or possum haw is a small, deciduous tree or shrub,15-30 ft. tall, with pale gray, twiggy, horizontal branches. Glossy, oval, toothed leaves remain dark green through autumn, finally turning yellow. Inconspicuous flowers precede clusters of persistant, red berries on female trees which provide winter color. 

Possum Haw is conspicuous in winter, with its many, small, red berries along leafless, slender, gray twigs. Opossums, raccoons, other mammals, songbirds, and gamebirds eat the fruit of this and related species.