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Ilex cassine
dahoon holly
Southeastern United States and the Caribbean
Overview
Ilex cassine is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the holly family, native to wet woods, swamp margins, and pond edges of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. It grows 20-30 feet (6-9 m) tall, occasionally taller, with an upright, often multi-stemmed form and slender gray branches. The narrow, leathery leaves are 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, glossy dark green above, with smooth or slightly toothed margins. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants; the small dull-white spring flowers are easy to overlook. Pollinated female trees carry round, red berries about 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide that ripen in autumn and hold through winter, drawing songbirds. A male plant must grow nearby for females to fruit. The species grows in full sun to partial shade on moist to wet, acidic soils and tolerates flooding and brief drought, but it is sensitive to hard frost and grows only in mild-winter regions. It supports bees in spring and birds in winter. Growth is moderate, taking several years to reach tree size.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States, from coastal Virginia and the Carolinas south through Florida and west to Texas, and into the Caribbean and Mexico. It grows in swamps, wet flatwoods, and along pond and stream margins.Suggested Uses
Grown as an evergreen specimen, screen, or hedge, and in rain gardens and wet, low areas. Spaced 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) apart for screening, female plants add winter berries for birds. Used in coastal and wetland plantings in the warm Southeast.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread8' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Small white flowers open in spring, mainly April to May, on male and female plants separately. The flowers are inconspicuous and last a few weeks. Female flowers give way to red berries that color in autumn and persist through winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Small dull white, in leaf axilsFoliage Description
Glossy dark green, narrow, mostly smooth-marginedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to partial shade in moist to wet, acidic soil, and tolerates seasonal flooding and poorly drained ground. Water regularly until established and during drought, as the species needs steady moisture. A male plant within range is required for female trees to set berries. Hard frost damages growth, limiting the plant to mild-winter regions in zones 7 to 11. Prune in late winter to shape and remove crossing or damaged branches. Mulch over the root zone keeps the shallow roots cool and moist.Pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth to shape the canopy and remove crossing, dead, or damaged branches. Light trimming through the year keeps a hedge dense. Heavy cutting is tolerated, as the plant resprouts from old wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons