YAUPON HOLLY

All About Yaupon Holly

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree native to the eastern U.S. and Mexico. It features dense, bright green foliage and vibrant red berries that attract wildlife. Tolerant of drought, salt spray, and occasional flooding, it thrives in various conditions. Growing up to 20 feet tall, it is ideal for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings. Available in dwarf and weeping forms, it requires both male and female plants for berry production. While highly versatile, it has a high flammability rating and should be planted away from fire-prone areas.

Benefits of Yaupon Holly

Drought tolerant plant
Thrives in various soils
Handles salt and flooding
Grows in sun or shade
Attracts bees and butterflies
Provides food for wildlife
Bright red ornamental berries
Resistant to root rot

Landscaping

Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Naturalized Area
Woodland

Resistance To Challenges

Deer
Diseasesl
Drought
Salt
Wet Soil
Wind

Leaves

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Width

< 1 inches

Leaf Description
1.5-inch oval leaves are glossy green and leathery with toothed margins and rounded at base and tip.

Cultural Conditions

Light

Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Drainage

Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet

Flowers

Flower Color

Green
White

Flower Bloom Time

Spring
Fall
Summer

Flower Description
Small greenish-white flowers that appear on male and female plants in the spring (April). The flowers are fragrant but generally inconspicuous. They grow solitary or in pairs. Blooms from March to May.

Stem

Stem Color

Gray/Silver
Purple/Lavender

Stem Is Aromatic

Stem Description
Young stems are purple and turn gray to white-gray as they age.

Attributes

Genus

Ilex

Family

Aquifoliaceae

Species:

vomitoria

Wildlife Value
It is a larval host plant for the Henry's Elfin, and Holly Azure butterfly. Butterflies and other pollinators nectar at the blooms. The fruits are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. Also provides winter cover.

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