Yaupon Holly Shrub

Ilex vomitoria, or Yaupon Holly, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the eastern United States and Mexico. Its small, bright-green leaves remain through the year; female plants produce red berries when a male plant blooms at the same time. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-vomitoria/common-name/yaupon-holly/) ## Site and size Yaupon grows in full sun through deep shade, with more sun supporting a denser canopy and more fruit. It tolerates a wide range of soils, salt spray, drought, and occasional flooding. Mature plants commonly reach 10–20 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide, so leave room for spread or prune to fit. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-vomitoria/common-name/yaupon-holly/) ## Garden use Use this adaptable holly as a hedge, screen, topiary, windbreak, foundation planting, specimen, or in a large container. Its flowers attract bees and butterflies, while songbirds and small mammals eat the fruit. Remove suckers when you want to limit thicket formation. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-vomitoria/common-name/yaupon-holly/) ## Maintenance Prune as needed to manage size and remove suckers; this species tolerates heavy pruning. For red fruit, plant male and female shrubs whose bloom periods overlap. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-vomitoria/common-name/yaupon-holly/)