Which bush is this?

[blakely]

Originally Posted by cBach

Thanks, where can I buy one? When is the best time to plant one?

I purchased and planted 3 of them last year around March/April and they seem to be thriving. Most all local nurseries carry them as they are native plants. Springtime is a great time to plant so they can get established before high heat (and well-established before freeze season). That said, it's a native plant that is quite hardy and I think you could plant it almost anytime from now through the fall...but we are coming upon prime planting season.

FYI, there are a few species. Get the female "ilex vomitoria" (I know, nice name) because the females produce the red berries. Males do not produce the berries. It should be evident because you'll see red berries on them if you shop now. HOWEVER, you need a male plant nearby to fertilize the female yaupons so they will continue to bloom. We had a couple in our yard without berries so they seem to be doing the trick.


Here's some good info- they do seem to produce more berries in the sun:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/orn...upon-holly.htm


They will probably look like shrubs. Some of the older ones look more like the tree you pictured. The other nice thing about native Yaupon hollies is that they are evergreen and don't lose their leaves.

For shopping for native plants, I really like Barton Springs Nursery, Shoal Creek or the Natural Gardener.

[blakely]

Here's a little more background and history of the plant and it's lovely name.

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/re...?id_plant=ilvo

[cBach]

Originally Posted by blakely

I purchased and planted 3 of them last year around March/April and they seem to be thriving. Most all local nurseries carry them as they are native plants. Springtime is a great time to plant so they can get established before high heat (and well-established before freeze season). That said, it's a native plant that is quite hardy and I think you could plant it almost anytime from now through the fall...but we are coming upon prime planting season.

FYI, there are a few species. Get the female "ilex vomitoria" (I know, nice name) because the females produce the red berries. Males do not produce the berries. It should be evident because you'll see red berries on them if you shop now. HOWEVER, you need a male plant nearby to fertilize the female yaupons so they will continue to bloom. We had a couple in our yard without berries so they seem to be doing the trick.


Here's some good info- they do seem to produce more berries in the sun:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/orn...upon-holly.htm


They will probably look like shrubs. Some of the older ones look more like the tree you pictured. The other nice thing about native Yaupon hollies is that they are evergreen and don't lose their leaves.

For shopping for native plants, I really like Barton Springs Nursery, Shoal Creek or the Natural Gardener.

Thanks excellent information.

I'm going to plant a male and female next to each other and see how they fare. There's a nice sunny spot for them.

They seem to do very well in this climate, after this crazy cold winter I lost so many tropical plants I've decided to go "native" and just plant stuff that is known to grow well here.

[blakely]

Yeah, it's pretty hard to mess them up. They do really well here.

My ferns got ruined this winter from the freezes- same thing- sticking with the natives as much as I can!

FYI the male plant we have (at least I think it's male, it's under an oak tree and doesn't bloom red) is pretty far from the female ones, but all the females got their berries this year. So as long as they are in the vicinity (probably even a neighbor's yard), you should be set.