Yaupon Holly

Introduction

The Yaupon Holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows 20-25 feet tall. It typically produces multiple stems to form dense shrubby clumps or small trees. Yaupon is dioecious which means that male and female flowers are born on separate plants. The tiny white flowers appear in spring in great numbers and are borne in the leaf axils, close against the stem. Female flowers are followed by small bright red berries that persist on the trees through fall and winter.

Use and Management

Yaupon tolerates a variety of soils and can be planted in full sun to shade. However, plants grown in full sun will be more compact with denser foliage. They thrive in well drained to wet environments and are drought tolerant.

The Yaupon is commonly grown as a trimmed hedge, screen, windbreak and a specimen plant.

Its dark green, leaves and bright red berries make this shrub quite decorative. The Yaupon Holly berries provides and important source of food for birds and other wildlife in late winter when there’s not a lot of other things to eat.

Planting

• Typically planted in 10, 15, 30, or 45 gal containers.
• B&B trees are specified in height (6’ – 8’ ht, etc) or caliper (3” cal., etc)
• Container trees can be double the price of B&B trees
• Plant container trees in late summer, if price allows
• Plant B&B trees if they were dug and cured in the winter months