Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

The Original Yaupon, a Versatile Landscape Plant

The native yaupon holly is one of our most common large native shrubs. It is found growing all over the Gulf Coast counties – in hedgerows, fence lines, ditch banks, waste places and even south to the back side of frontal dunes at the beaches. The fact that it is so common has probably resulted in it being underused in residential landscapes.

Botanically, it is Ilex vomitoria. The unusual species name comes from the fact that it was used as a purgative by Native Americans. This is also the plant that was used to make the famous Black Drink. Young leaves were picked during summer, parched and then boiled. Of all holly species native to North America, only yaupon is known to contain caffeine. This process was used to extract maximum amounts.

Yaupon has many desirable characteristics as a landscape plant. It is an evergreen, with one inch long dark green leaves in an alternate arrangement along the stem. As with all holly species it is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants. Females produce numerous bright red berries during late summer that persist throughout the winter.

Yaupon is grown as a clipped hedge because it responds so well to pruning. It also makes a good topiary plant, screen or barrier. When pruned to a single or multiple trunk form, it makes a beautiful small specimen tree. The exposed trunk becomes smooth and light gray in color with age.

This is also a great plant for use in attracting wildlife to the landscape. If left unpruned its natural, informal habit of growth, size and branch density provide desirable nesting places for several species of song birds. The ripe berries which are retained for up to six months provide food for other wildlife too.

Anyone with interest in establishing yaupon in the landscape should be aware that there are several new selections on the market. The previous discussion was about the original of the species which has an upright spreading habit of growth of up to twenty feet. ‘Pendula’ is a weeping yaupon cultivar. ‘Nana’ and ‘Schillings Dwarf’ are compact much smaller growing selections that are used where a low mass effect is desired. ‘Bordeaux’, another low grower, provides red leaf color with each flush of growth.

Regardless of the cultivar, all of these yaupon selections were developed from the parent, Ilex vomitoria. Though the growth habit is different, they are all well adapted landscape shrubs, performing even under tough conditions.

Note: Yaupon holly is listed as a poisonous plant, as the ingestion of berries is known to contain toxins. I do not advocate its use for food, medicine or for any purpose other than landscaping.

Question of the Week: I am interested in planting some palm trees on my property. I need to know what species of palms are best to plant in the area and the best time of year for planting.

Answer: Select carefully and choose only those species that can tolerate our north Florida winters. Obtain a copy of “Ornamental Palms for North Florida.” This publication provides cultural information and a list of the best adapted species. Your local Extension office can provide a copy or find it online at http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/misc/orn-palms-nofl.pdf.

There is now a Gulf Coast Chapter of the International Palm Society. This group holds regular meetings, providing educational lectures and tours. The Society can be contacted at 3947 Highway 297A, Cantonment, Florida, or by telephone at either 850-478-3685 or 850-456-8904.

Vigorous root growth of palms occurs only when the soil is relatively warm, so spring is considered to be a good time for planting. This provides the longest uninterrupted period of warm soil temperatures for establishment.