Question
i recently saw some yaupon hollies at a nursery and was wondering if they would make good shrubs to edge a walkway. i read that they get really tall and am wondering if they can be trimmed to stay small?

Answer
Howdy Arturo,

Coach Dave here and I work for The Home Depot, and have years of experience with Yaupon Holly.

In regards to the common Yaupon (Vomitoria) shrub, you are correct about them getting large.  This type of Holly can reach 20 to 25 feet high in 20 years. As for keeping them pruned, I would never prune a plant more than 1/3 or the original size.  The shock from this aggressive trimming could most likely end the Hollys' life.


If low-growing is what your looking for I usually recommend using the 慍ompacta,?慔elleri,?Bordeaux, 慛ana,?and 慡chillings?varieties of Yaupon Holly.  These are some of the most popular dwarf types that only reach about two feet high by five feet high.


Another option is the  "Dwarf Burford holly", this will reach about 6 feet high and three feet wide. The leaves are a bit more sharply pointed so watch your hands.  The Buford is very compact and slow growing and is ideal for shaping.


The best thing about these hollies is that they don't have much leaf drop unless you have a pest that is attacking them and are very hardy.  My favorite thing about most Holly types is the berries in winter that add color and attract birds who like to eat them.


If you have any more questions about plants, let me know.

Coach Dave