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Ilex vomitoria 'Taylor's Rudolph'
'Taylor's Dwarf' Yaupon, 'Taylor's Rudolph' Yaupon

‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ is a cultivar of a beautiful and hardy native species of Holly that grows in coastal NC as well as other Southeastern states. Both ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ and the species are evergreen; both are very adaptable, thriving in a range of cultural conditions from moist to dry, in full sun to part shade; both have a lovely texture, composed of small, lustrous, dark green leaves; and both undergo pruning beautifully. What is special about the cultivar is its size (only 3-4 feet high by 5 feet wide at maturity) which makes ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ ideal for shearing into a formal hedge or using individually as a foundation plant. It is also reliably female with a heavy load of translucent red berries clinging to the stems through the winter, attracting birds and providing distinct winter interest. (‘Rudolph’ evokes a red nose, though it sounds male!) ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ fills out to the ground, so it does not require any filler to cover bare lower stems like some other evergreen shrubs. It must be noted that it is intolerant of urban pollution and should be sited accordingly. Being a female, its pollination requirements can be met by either a male cultivar (such as ‘Schilling’s Dwarf’) or by a nearby male Ilex decidua (Possumhaw) or Ilex opaca (American Holly). It is drought- and disease-resistant and provides beautiful material for a formal garden planting while also providing the benefits of being native, i.e., it supports native pollinators and bird life! Since selections do not have a natural plant distribution, the USDA distribution map linked below is for the species.

Last Updated: May 21, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria Aiton cv. 'Taylor's Rudolph'
Common Names: 'Taylor's Dwarf' Yaupon, 'Taylor's Rudolph' Yaupon
Family Name: Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Specimen, Hedge, Foundation, Topiary/espalier
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Bloom Times: Apr, May
Flower Color: White
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Drought tolerant, Attracts birds, Slow growing, Showy fruit, Evergreen, Salt tolerant, Tolerates temporary wet conditions, Goof for hedging, Reported to be deer resistant.

Additional Info

Habit: Compact, dense, rounded form grows more horizontally then vertically.
Height: 3-4'
Spread: 5'
Growth Rate: Moderate to slow
Soil Conditions: A broad range of conditions: moist to dry; acid to slightly alkaline, sand, loam, clay.
Leaves: Small (1.5 inches x 34 inch wide), simple, alternate, glossy, ovate to elliptical dark green above and lighter below, with crenate or coarsely serrated margins, rounded base and prominent, pinnate venation.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Small, white, fragrant, inconspicuous 4-parted flowers in spring: axillary, pistillate flowers either singular or in groups of 2-3.
Fruit: If a male is nearby, fruits occur on female plants in the fall: small, round, shiny, usually red drupes ~1/4 inch diameter, containing four nutlets (pyrenes), which are eventually dispersed by birds eating the fruit.
Natural Distribution: cultivar of Ilex vomitoria
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FAC
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Taylor's Rudolph Yaupon foliage serves as larval host for Henry's Elfin Butterfly. Also, as for the Ilex vomitoria species, many kinds of song and game birds will utilize the berries in winter, as will small mammals, if they are nearby (see the entry for Ilex vomitoria). Likewise, Taylor's Rudolph Yaupon, being evergreen, would provide cover for many animals in winter. There are conflicting reports as to its susceptibility to deer browse.
Pharmacology: The Yaupon berries are poisonous (low toxicity level). Yaupon leaves contain caffeine and dried leaves can be used to make a tea. In the past it was incorrectly believed to be an emetic (hence its species name).
Cultural Notes: The canopy of Yaupon can be very dense, making it ideal for hedging.
Downside: Root sprouts may need to be controlled for tidiness.
Propagation: From hardwood cuttings.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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