Brushholly
Xylosma flexuosa
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Brushholly (Xylosma flexuosa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
TX
Pollinators
nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Brushholly is a versatile evergreen shrub with small, glossy leaves and a naturally dense growth habit. It produces inconspicuous flowers from spring through fall and can be maintained as a formal hedge or allowed to grow in a more natural form. The plant is drought tolerant once established and adapts well to various soil conditions.
In an HOA neighborhood
Brushholly takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The extended blooming period from March through November provides nectar for small insects, bees, and butterflies throughout most of the growing season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Brushholly need?
- Brushholly grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Brushholly bloom?
- Brushholly blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Where is Brushholly native?
- Brushholly (Xylosma flexuosa) is native to TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Brushholly attract?
- Brushholly draws nectar insects.
- Is Brushholly HOA-friendly?
- Brushholly takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Brushholly? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz