Shrubs · Hollies
Yaupon Holly 'Pendula'
Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula'
In USDA zones 7b–8a around Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' is a shrub used in Triangle yards when mature size, sun, and drainage fit the bed. Piedmont clay rewards a wide planting hole, a slightly high crown, and steady first-season water. Give it the open sky it wants; west-facing walls in July still cook tender foliage. It is often used for screening or evergreen structure along property lines. Fall planting is the usual window here; water through the first summer no matter the calendar.
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Key facts for the Triangle
- Botanical name
- Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula'
- Common name
- Yaupon Holly 'Pendula'
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Group
- Hollies
- Hardiness here
- USDA 7b–8a (Raleigh–Durham Triangle)
- Light
- Part sun / part shade
- Water
- Deep, consistent water while establishing
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Leaf habit
- Evergreen
- Best planting window
- Fall (October–November) in the Piedmont; spring after frost as backup
Overview
Ilex vomitoria, commonly known as yaupon or yaupon holly, is a species of holly that is native to southeastern North America. The word yaupon was derived from the Catawban yą́pą, from yą- tree + pą leaf. Another common name, cassina, was borrowed from Timucua. The Latin name was given by early European observers who misunderstood Indigenous purification ceremonies—where vomiting was part of the ritual—and incorrectly assumed that the plant itself was emetic.
At a glance
Sun
Water & soil
Wildlife
Foliage & season
Habit & use
Common questions
Is Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' a good plant for Raleigh and the Triangle?
Yes—when the site matches its light and drainage needs. Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' is used in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary landscapes in USDA zones 7b–8a. Confirm mature width, overhead wires, and how wet the Piedmont clay stays after storms before you plant.
When should I plant Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' in North Carolina?
Fall (October–November) is the safest window for Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' in the Piedmont: soil is still warm, air is cooler, and roots can grow before summer. Spring after the last frost works if you can water deeply through the first hot season.
Will Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' grow in Piedmont clay?
It can, with careful planting: wide hole, crown slightly above grade, and no water sitting on the root flare. Heavy, poorly drained clay is the usual failure mode—not summer heat alone.
Does Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' lose its leaves in winter?
No. Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' is evergreen and keeps foliage year-round, which is why it is used for winter structure and screening in Triangle yards.
How much sun does Yaupon Holly 'Pendula' need?
It performs best in full sun—about 6 or more hours of direct light. Afternoon shade can help in reflected-heat courtyards, but too little sun usually means weaker flowering or open growth.
Reference context includes Wikipedia (“Ilex vomitoria”), licensed under CC BY-SA.