wetland shrub
Myrtle Dahoon
Ilex myrtifolia
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Florida, west to Louisiana
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 8–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Nov Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland shrub for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 8–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Myrtle Dahoon's white flowers bloom April to November, peaking in May. It's a late-spring display.
Myrtle Dahoon blooms whiteFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South CarolinaUnited States (7): AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Florida, west to LouisianaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8–10The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, sandy soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–NovWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jan–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.