Possumhaw

Highlights

Possumhaw is a deciduous native holly, which means it drops its leaves in fall. Once the leaves are gone, you’re left with graceful gray branches absolutely loaded with bright berries that last throughout the winter. It’s one of the most eye-catching winter plants you can grow in North America. Birds, especially cedar waxwings and eastern bluebirds, rely on those berries when other food is scarce. And for you? It’s a low-fuss plant that basically takes care of itself once it settles in.

Is possumhaw a good choice for my yard?

Yes, if…

• You want a winter showstopper. Possumhaw’s berry-covered bare branches are genuinely stunning, especially against snow or a dark evergreen backdrop.
• You have a wet spot, rain garden, or low area that stays damp. This plant is right at home in soggy conditions.
• You want to feed birds through winter. Over 35 species eat possumhaw berries, including cedar waxwings, eastern bluebirds, and wild turkeys.
• You’re looking for something low-maintenance. Once established, possumhaw needs very little attention.
• You live anywhere from Virginia to Illinois to Texas. That’s a lot of ground.

Skip it if…

• You don’t have room for female and male plants. Possumhaw is dioecious (separate male and female plants), so you need a male within about 50 feet for berry production.
• You want year-round green. Possumhaw drops its leaves. That’s the feature, not the bug, but if evergreen is a must, look at inkberry or American holly instead.
• You need something that stays small and tidy. Possumhaw can reach 15 feet tall and wide, and its natural habit is a bit open and leggy at the base.
• You’re in a very dry, very alkaline spot. Possumhaw prefers moist, slightly acidic soil.

Why possumhaw matters

Most berry-producing plants have fruit in late summer or early fall. Possumhaw does the opposite. Its berries ripen in September but stay on the branches deep into winter, often lasting until March. That timing is critical for birds that overwinter or migrate through your area when food options are at their lowest.

At least 35 bird species eat possumhaw berries, including cedar waxwings, American robins, eastern bluebirds, wild turkeys, and northern bobwhite. Mammals like raccoons and opossums eat them too (hence the name).

And one more reason to plant a possumhaw… 🦋

Possumhaw is also a host plant for the Henry’s elfin butterfly

Henry’s elfin butterfly lays its eggs on holly leaves so its caterpillars can feed on them. That’s a relationship that only works with native hollies. And in spring, the small white flowers are loaded with nectar for native bees, including specialist bees specifically seek out holly blooms.

Where possumhaw shines in your yard

• Winter focal point: Put it where you and the neighbors can admire those berries. A front yard specimen or a spot near a window is ideal so you can watch the birds while you have your morning coffee.
• Rain garden or wet area: Possumhaw thrives in low spots that stay damp or occasionally flood. It’s a natural fit for rain gardens.
• Mixed native border: Combine it with evergreen hollies like inkberry or American holly for a layered look that has something going on in every season.
• Understory planting: Possumhaw naturally grows at the edges of forests. It does well under taller canopy trees where it gets filtered light.
• Streambank or pond edge: Its love of moist soil makes it a great pick for planting near water features or along streams

How to grow possumhaw

Where to plant

Full sun gives you the most berries. Part shade works too, but expect fewer fruits. Possumhaw likes moist, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). It’s very happy in clay or loamy ground and handles occasional flooding without complaint.

When to plant

Fall or early spring, while the plant is dormant or just waking up.

The male/female thing

Possumhaw is dioecious, meaning you need a male and a female plant for berries. Only the female makes fruit, but she needs a male within about 50 feet so bees can move pollen between them.

The cultivar ‘Red Escort’ is the go-to male pollinator. One male can help pollinate multiple females. When you’re shopping, ask the nursery which male pairs with the female cultivar you want.

Spacing

Give it room. Plan for 10–15 feet of spread at maturity, and space plants 8–12 feet apart if you’re planting a group or screen.

Watering

Keep it consistently moist through the first growing season while roots get established. After that, possumhaw is fairly self-sufficient. Water during long dry spells, but don’t stress about it.

Mulching

A 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base helps hold moisture and keep roots cool. Keep it a few inches away from the trunk.

Pruning

Possumhaw has a naturally graceful shape and doesn’t need much pruning. If you want to clean it up, do it in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Some people remove lower branches to show off the trunk and create more of a small tree form, which also highlights the winter berries.

What are good pairings for possumhaw?

Possumhaw is perfectly paired with other native plants that like wetter areas, like cardinal flower, ironweed, and rose mallow.

Where can I buy a possumhaw?

Many native plants can be challenging to find at conventional plant nurseries. We made sourcing a possumhaw easier by compiling 625+ native nurseries, organized by state. Here are some other ideas on where you can better find your own:

Possumhaw is one of those plants that earns its spot in your yard every single winter. It asks for very little, handles wet and tricky conditions better than most, and puts on a berry show that genuinely makes people stop and look. Pair it with winterberry and other native hollies for maximum winter drama, tuck an inkberry hedge nearby for evergreen contrast, or let it stand alone as a winter focal point. If you’re new to native plants, our What is a native plant? page is a great place to start. And if you want the full picture on the holly family, check out our native hollies overview. Or plant for water and check out our Best Native Plants for Rain Gardens. However you use it, possumhaw is a plant that gives back way more than it asks for. Happy planting!

Similar plants

• Virginia Sweetspire
• American Plum
• Highbush Blueberry
• Azaleas
• Ninebark
• Mountain Laurels
• Spicebush
• Viburnums
• Serviceberry

Written by

Emily Lessard

Founder & Editor, The Plant Native

Emily Lessard is the founder and editor of The Plant Native, the site that helps homeowners across North America get started with native plants. She holds a Sustainable Landscapes certificate through the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, is finishing a Native Perennial Garden Design Certificate at Temple University, and is the author of Plant Native: A Practical Guide to Over 100 Native Plants of North America (Quarto, March 2027). She gardens outside Philadelphia in the 8.3 Southeastern Plains ecoregion.

Meet Emily

Updated July 4, 2026Find more: White · Acidic · Flowering Shrub · Shrub · Statement Tree · Tree · Spring · Full Sun · Part Sun · Wet · Rain Garden

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