The Stunning Type Of Holly Tree Birds Will Love That Creates Privacy In Your Yard

If you have a damp area of your yard where you'd like to grow an evergreen shrub that will attract and provide food for birds, it can be hard finding exactly what you're looking for, especially if you're searching for something that's attractive all year long. Fortunately, dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) fits the bill perfectly, and is among the trees and shrubs that will have birds flocking to your yard. 

Dahoon shurbs can reach up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. As an evergreen with leathery, green leaves and bright red winter berries, Ilex cassine is among the holly plants that add year-round interest to any garden. Check your zone though, only those in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 11 should grow this species in their yards. It's native to the southeast U.S., ranging from North Carolina to Texas, as well as Mexico and parts of the Caribbean. Keep in mind that it prefers moist to wet soils when deciding where to plant it.

The red berries of Dahoon hollies aren't just pleasing to the eye — our feathered friends love to eat them. Their brightly colored clusters of fruit serve as an important food source for birds in our yards throughout the fall and winter. And as an evergreen, the leaves and branches offer an ideal habitat for winged visitors as well. As a bonus, this is also an excellent species to grow for pollinators, including native bees.

Of course, these attractive hollies are able to do double duty in providing privacy too. With foliage that remains on the plants throughout the winter, dahoon holly deserves to be placed among the evergreens that will give you privacy all year round. These shrubs can be transformed into a hedge to create a more intimate outdoor area by growing them six feet apart for dense planting. They can also be used to screen unsightly yard fixtures such as utility boxes or heat pumps.