Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) – Versatile Evergreen Shrub with Ornamental Berries

Bring year-round beauty to your landscape with Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria), a resilient evergreen shrub prized for its dense foliage, attractive red berries, and adaptability. Perfect for hedges, borders, foundation plantings, and ornamental gardens, this hardy shrub is drought-tolerant and thrives in a variety of conditions.

Key Features:

• Evergreen Beauty – Retains lush, glossy green leaves year-round for continuous visual appeal.
• Ornamental Red Berries – Female plants produce vibrant red berries that last through fall and winter, attracting birds.
• Wildlife Friendly – Provides food for birds and serves as shelter for small wildlife.
• Versatile Landscaping Use – Ideal for formal hedges, natural privacy screens, topiaries, and container gardening.
• Drought & Salt Tolerant – Thrives in dry, sandy, and coastal environments, making it an excellent choice for difficult landscapes.

Product Details:

• Botanical Name: Ilex vomitoria
• Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub or Small Tree
• Mature Height: 4–20 feet (depending on variety)
• Mature Width: 3–15 feet
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerates acidic, sandy, and clay soils
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Pollination: Requires a male pollinator for female plants to produce berries

Planting Instructions:

• Seed Preparation: Cold stratify seeds for 60–90 days before planting.
• Sowing: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil; space shrubs 4–8 feet apart.
• Germination: Keep soil moist; germination may take 6–12 months.
• Transplanting: Once seedlings develop strong roots, move them to their final location.

Care & Maintenance:

• Watering: Water regularly during the first year; drought-tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and size.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• General Care: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With its elegant structure, ornamental berries, and adaptability, Yaupon Holly is a perfect addition to formal gardens, native landscapes, and coastal plantings.