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I thought that with the strong frigid winds we’ve experienced on Florida’s Space Coast these last few days, every red berry would have blown off this possumhaw tree.
But as you can see, this possumhaw located on Merritt Island is laden with thousands of the bright red beads that provide food for migrating songbirds.
The miniature red ornaments amid the green leaves add a touch of Christmas cheer to the area.
Possumhaw provides red berries enjoyed by gardeners and wildlife. Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner
From Fine Gardening:
Although the common name, possumhaw (Ilex decidua and cvs.), doesn’t conjure up visions of grandeur, this small deciduous tree is a knockout in fall through winter. Ablaze with red berries after leaf drop, possumhaw looks like a red-flowering tree. The fruit consistently last longer than those of its smaller and better-known relative, the winterberry (Ilex verticillata and cvs., Zones 5–8), but they can become discolored when the thermometer dips below –10°F.
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