Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks vom-mit-TOR-ee-uh
- Description
-
Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' is a dense, compact, rounded evergreen shrub that is a dwarf cultivar of the species. It grows up to 5' tall and has brittle, close-knit branches and dark green leaves (0.5 - 1.5" long) that are yellow-green when new. If pollinated, the small greenish white flowers on female shrubs will mature into persistent red drupes, although they are not as common or as striking as those of the species. This plant blooms in early to mid-spring and the fruits are usually hidden by the close-knit branches. The Dwarf Yaupon Holly spreads wider than it is tall and can be used for topiary. Leaves are not concolorous and tend to be much darker on top than beneath. Drought and salt spray tolerant. This plant tolerates wet soil, is easily transplanted, and has no known pest problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Dense evergreen shrub with gray twigs.
- Leaves are glossy, dark green on top and light green on the bottom.
- Leaf margins are crenate, have no black glands beneath them.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- vomitoria
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood from this plant was used by Native Americans to make arrows. The leaves were used for ceremonial tea.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive and food source to birds and small animals. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. Leaves provide food source for deer.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought and salt spray tolerant, deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- If pollinated, the flowers on female shrubs will mature into persistent red globose berry drupes, although they are not as common or as striking as those of the species and are less than an inch wide.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Produces small, greenish-white flowers in spring that are solitary or in pairs and are clustered on peduncles in leaf axils.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, glossy dark green leaves that are 1/2"-1 1/2" long. New growth has a yellow-green tinge. Leaves are oval to ovate and are shallowly toothes around the margin to the base.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Salt
