Posted 12:01 am Thursday, January 19, 2012
Possumah Produces Bright Red Berries
By DEE BISHOP
Smith County Master Gardner
The holly in this picture is our own native Ilex decidua better known as Possumhaw. You often see them on fence rows where birds have ‘planted' them.
Possumhaw's whitish-gray trunk and limbs allow the bright red berries to pop against a blue winter sky. What an accent for a winter garden!
Its thick shiny green foliage in summer provides good cover for nesting birds, and at the end of winter, the berries are devoured by several species of birds, mainly cedar waxwings.
Smith County Master Gardner
The holly in this picture is our own native Ilex decidua better known as Possumhaw. You often see them on fence rows where birds have ‘planted' them.
Possumhaw's whitish-gray trunk and limbs allow the bright red berries to pop against a blue winter sky. What an accent for a winter garden!
Its thick shiny green foliage in summer provides good cover for nesting birds, and at the end of winter, the berries are devoured by several species of birds, mainly cedar waxwings.
There are many hollies from all over the world. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes . There is a species for any environment as some like well drained soils and others like moist or even boggy soils. They will grow in sun or shade, but if you want lots of berries, plant them in sun.
Our native hollies are wonderful landscape shrubs or small trees, time-tested, and proven to perform.
Watch for possumhaws as you travel the countryside.
Our native hollies are wonderful landscape shrubs or small trees, time-tested, and proven to perform.
Watch for possumhaws as you travel the countryside.
They will be sifted among fencerows, near old barns, or boldly making a statement in a pasture.
Until you do go for a drive, come to the IDEA Garden and take a look at ours.
Notice it as you drive by the garden. I won't tell you where to find it in the garden, but I guarantee you will see it.
It will make itself known, especially if you go on a clear sunny day.
Until you do go for a drive, come to the IDEA Garden and take a look at ours.
Notice it as you drive by the garden. I won't tell you where to find it in the garden, but I guarantee you will see it.
It will make itself known, especially if you go on a clear sunny day.
