Ilex vomitoria 'Cathy' - Cathy yaupon holly

Height: 30’ +
Spread: 12’ +
Light Needs: full sun to part shade
Water: average to moist
Flower color: white
Bloom time: April

'Cathy' yaupon hollies are grown from cuttings of a fruit-bearing plant that has a growth habit typical of the species. It was selected from the yard of SCNPS member Cathy McCurdy. This is an evergreen large shrub or small tree. Root suckers may be produced by some plants. The small leaves have toothed margins but no spines. Small white, fragrant flowers appear in spring. Pollen-bearing and seed-bearing flowers are produced on different plants. One of each is required for fruit production. If a pollen-producing yaupon is in the neighborhood, large numbers of red fruits  will be produced in fall. In the garden, plants may be used singly as an accent, planted as a screen or scattered through the woodland understory. It is very tolerant of trimming. The fruits are important winter food for fruit-eating birds like mockingbirds and cedar waxwings. The evergreen foliage provides some cover for winter wildlife. The leaves of yaupon holly have been used commercially for a caffeinated tea.