Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' (Dwarf Yaupon Holly)

Ilex vomitoria 'Nana,' commonly known as dwarf yaupon holly, is a cultivar of yaupon holly, a woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the southeastern US and Mexico. Although its species name, vomitoria, may raise some eyebrows, this name is drawn from the plant's traditional use in pre-Colonial ritual teas, which contained a mix of herbs and were drunk in large quantities to induce vomiting. Today, Ilex vomitoria can still be found in some tea mixes, but is much more commonly planted for its wildlife and ecological value. Flowering in mid to late spring, yaupon holly produces inconspicuous white flowers, which are attractive to a number of pollinators; due to mix-ups between different dwarf cultivars, it is possible to find Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' as both male and female individuals, so it is important to keep this in mind as you look for accent plants.

Beyond its slightly off-putting name, Ilex vomitoria is an excellent addition to the landscape with a lot of ecological appeal, and its dwarf cultivar, 'Nana' makes it accessible to smaller garden spaces as well. The 'Nana' dwarf cultivar grows with a mounding behavior to only about 3-5' tall and about 3-6' wide, making it an excellent choice for low hedges, where it is easy to maintain, or coastal areas, where it shows of its high salt tolerance. 'Nana' performs best in full to part sun and medium-wet soils, but tolerates deer, drought, over-watering, and harsh winters. With pleasant spring flowers, consistent evergreen foliage, and appeal to insects, mammals, and a huge number of birds, Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' is an excellent addition to the home landscape.