Trimming a Large Yaupon Holly

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is an attractive and multistemmed evergreen shrub that performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Though yaupon holly may be grown as a sprawling, untrimmed shrub, it is often trimmed into hedges or topiaries. Fortunately, yaupon holly is hardy enough to withstand even severe trimmings and prunings, so you can shape the shrub to fit the needs of your landscape.

Pruning shears or loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the yaupon holly in the early spring and identify any brown or weather-damaged foliage or branches. Cut problem foliage back to a healthy leaf node. Remove broken or dead branches at their base. Make your pruning cut just outside the branch bark collar.
- 2
  Trim yaupon holly in the spring to control its size and shape. Remove up to one-third of the length of each branch.
- 3
  Sheer the yaupon holly during the spring or summer, while it is actively growing, to encourage more vigorous growth. Trim 3 inches off the length of each branch, cutting the branch tips back to a healthy leaf node.
- 4
  Keep an eye on the base of the yaupon holly and promptly remove any sprouts that form. These sprouts give the holly an unruly look, and they divert valuable moisture and nutrients from the main shrub.

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