Winter Wonderland

From a home landscape perspective, the winter months should be free from pests. But while insect activity is at an absolute minimum, foliage is still at risk.  

White-tailed deer, a native herbivore, frequently stray into suburbia during the depths of North Florida’s winter. The range of ornamental landscape plants at many homes is a seasonal salad bar for these uninvited guests.  

During this period, the deer are very actively seeking a mate and a meal. As such, deer sightings increase. 

It is also the time of year when many native foliage sources are in short supply. Less favored but available, landscape shrubs become a meal prospect. 

It’s common to see a herd of does, some with yearling fawns, in fields, pastures, highway shoulders, and residential lawns. But a buck’s behavior patterns are quite different. During this period, mature males lead solitary lives. They can occasionally be seen in pairs, but they are usually in competitive pursuit of one or more does.

The skittish males may resort to consuming some residential shrubbery, but meals are not the focus of their interests during this phase. In many cases, they will follow does into yards and nibble after the others have departed.

The often-asked question: “Are there any deer-proof landscape plants?” The answer is no. The deer will eat almost anything, when necessary.

Female wax myrtle fruits are very attractive to birds and wildlife. Photo courtesy of UF/IFas

Wax Myrtles

Wax myrtles are another evergreen that can be planted to brighten a winter landscape. They do well in a moist environment, both in sun and heavy shade. It is an excellent choice for use in poorly drained soils, but it also grows well in drier soils. Trees may reach 25 feet in height. Wax myrtle leaves are narrow at the base and broader toward the upper end of the leaves. About midway up the leaf toward the tip, coarse teeth appear on the leaf edges. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. The female flowers grow in close bunches, producing light green round fruits about an eighth of an inch in diameter. The fruits are coated with a thick, bluish wax and are very attractive to birds and wildlife during the winter.

Winter Greenery

The muted shades of winter’s deciduous plants can be brightened with evergreens, which are easy to add to yards this time of year. One genus of plants displaying bright tones are native hollies. These have simple, alternate glossy leaves, usually with sharp spines on the leaf’s edge, and their inconspicuous flower is greenish-white with four petals, a great food source for native pollinators during the warmer months of the year. 

Generally slow growers, hollies can be either trees or shrubs. There are several native species well-adapted to the local environment and that will handle pruning, but remember to leave enough space for them to grow properly.  

Photo courtesy of UF/IFas

Dahoon hollies have smooth, shiny, dark green leaves that are 2 to 3 inches long, with just a few serrations near the tip. This holly tree is capable of reaching a height of 20 to 30 feet with an 8- to 12-foot-wide limb spread.  

Dahoons have male and female flowers on separate plants, and male and female trees need to be near each other to ensure the production of brilliant red berries in fall and winter. The berries serve as an excellent food source for wildlife but aren’t heavy producers.

Photo courtesy of UF/IFas

The Palatka holly is thought to be a hybrid between two other Ilex species. The broad, rounded leaves have one spine at the tip and few, if any, along the blade edge. 

A female Palatka holly is usually heavily laden with bright red berries in fall and winter, especially toward the top of the tree. The tree is capable of growing to about 45 feet tall and has a moderately tight, pyramidal shape.

Photo courtesy of UF/IFas

Yaupon, sometimes called a Yaupon holly, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub capable of reaching 25 feet in height. It has small, gray-green, leathery leaves densely arranged along smooth, stiff branches.

It will grow in soil with a pH in the mildly alkaline range and is very tolerant of drought and salty air. Female plants are very heavy berry producers and can form dense thickets if unmanaged.

Hollies are ready to serve the hungry wild residents or travelers migrating through the area. But keep in mind, if a flock of birds arrives famished from flying, the berries can disappear almost overnight. 

Les Harrison is a retired University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Wakulla County extension director.