possumhaw

Possumhaw (Ilex decidua 'Council Fire') prefers moist, well-drained soil and tolerates dry conditions once established. Water thoroughly when planting, until the entire root system is saturated and water weekly during the establishment period of 1 to 2 years. After the establishment period, water as needed during times of drought. Water possumhaw deeply, but only when the soil is dry several inches below the surface. Water the plant until the soil is saturated, to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. This species is sensitive to over-watering, so it is important to avoid overwatering the plant.

Possumhaw (Ilex decidua 'Council Fire') needs full sun exposure in order to produce its bright, red berries. This plant does best in areas that get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day during its growing season. In order to get the best results when it comes to fruiting, the plant should receive the most sunlight early in the morning and into late afternoon. It should avoid the midday sun when possible, as this can cause damage to the leaves. In general, the ideal sunlight conditions for the Possumhaw will depend largely on the region it is being grown in. For example, in the southern U.S., the plant may need less sunlight due to the high temperatures, while in the northern states, it may need full sun exposure to produce the best results. It is also important to note that this plant will require extra sunlight during the fall season in order to produce the maximum number of berries. During this time, the plant should get at least 9-10 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Pruning Possumhaw (Ilex decidua ‘Council Fire’) should generally be done in early spring, just before they start to leaf out. Prune out dead or broken branches first, and then shape the bush by removing about 1-third of the old growth. This will help keep the bush full and encourage new growth. Also, if you need to remove a branch, try to prune just above a cluster of buds to encourage new growth. As far as the frequency of pruning, it will depend on how large the shrub is and how fast it grows. For small shrubs it may only need to be done every 2 to 3 years. Larger shrubs should be pruned more frequently, every year or 2.