Planted Yaupon Holly

This afternoon we planted a Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) south of the deck under a large Mesquite tree. Only the female plants have the red berries that contrast to the dark green foliage during the season when most plants have lost all leaves. The evergreen large shrub or small tree is a nice accent or screening plant. It is native to central Texas but also does well in the Hill Country. It has a Hill Country cousin Ilex decidua (Possumhaw) which has berries in the winter on bare branches. It is grown in full sun or as a understory plant. Yaupons may reach 15 to 20 feet in height.