Possumhaws coming into glory

February 08, 2015


The reddening of possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua) berries seems a couple of weeks late this year. (Click the link to see how they look at peak.)


Usually the red-berried trees are blazing by mid-to-late January in my northwest Austin neighborhood, but this year they’re just starting to “fire up.”


It won’t be long now though. Of course, it won’t be long either for the earliest spring blooms, so they’d better hurry up.

All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

13 responses to “Possumhaws coming into glory”

  1. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Pretty! The hollies and crab apples here are just now becoming edible to the birds. They have to freeze and thaw several times before the birds like them.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Possumhaw berries take so long to redden that they become a late-season feast for the birds. But they must have to ripen a while too since we always have time to admire the show before the gobbling begins. —Pam

  2. Now that is a beautiful tree! Something to look forward to each year.

  3. Kris P says:

    Maybe they were holding off to peak on Valentine’s Day!

  4. Pam Duffy says:

    Pam,
    I had read about these in books, but it wasn’t until I saw one in bloom in the wild northwest of Austin when headed back to 281. I have one now in the back yard and this is the first year that it has lost all it’s leaves. There were more green berries this fall, but when I checked the other day I didn’t find them, so maybe the birds did eat them off the ground. It’s near a bird feeder. I didn’t realize that I needed two for the fruit. I have Yaupon and Nellie Stevens nearby, but maybe a male would help. Beautiful pictures!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Pam, it takes a while for young trees to put on a good show, but it does mystify me that your green berries have disappeared. As for pollination, Texas AgriLife says, “It’s usually not necessary to plant a male pollinator, since ‘wild yaupons’ and other hollies seem to provide sufficient pollination.” That’s just as well, since I’ve never seen a male possumhaw for sale anyway! —Pam

  5. TexasDeb says:

    Last year was a banner year for crepe myrtle displays and this one is starting out putting on a pretty spectacular berry show in Central Texas.

    And, not to rush past berries to blooms, but I’m going to keep writing the words and see if that helps make it so – I think 2015 is going to be a breathtaking year for wildflowers!

  6. I have one in my backyard and have had it for 3-4 years. It doesn’t seem to berry as profusely as others I see. Do you know why? I know birds and squirrels are eating the berries (yay!), but I would love some more berries to brighten up this area. Could it be a male vs. female? Thanks for helping me solve this frustrating dilemma.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Lisa, if it makes any berries at all, it must be female. There are a number of reasons why it may not be producing many berries: lack of male pollinator nearby, too much shade, too dry, too young. Since this winter has been pretty rainy and you’ve only had it a few years, I’d just advise patience. —Pam

  7. How beautiful! I love possumhaw hollies : )