Youpon Holly

Q. I know a small tree called youpon yupon or maybe yaupon. I do hope you will be able to look it up; it's quite attractive and very hardy here in these parts [Houston TX]

A. I found no listings for the first two names but here is the third:

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria `Nana')

Foliage: Evergreen broadleaf
Height: 3 to 15 feet
Spread: 3 to 10 feet
Shape: Spreading
New growth has a purplish tinge which turns glossy dark green. Large clusters of red berries form on female plants.
Zone: 7 to 10
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet moist or dry
Soil Type: Sandy loam or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 6.0
Suggested uses for this plant include hedge barrier massing and specimen plant.
Transplants readily.
Adapts to wide range of soil moisture conditions.
Tolerant of salt spray.
Plant one male plant near each six to eight female plants to ensure heavy fruiting. Withstands pruning well.
Prune regularly if using as a hedge or when fullness of plant is desired.

Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.

Consult local sources including historic or public gardens and arboreta regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.

Cultivars:

`Nana' or Dwarf Yaupon Holly (shown) is a small moundlike shrub 3 to 5 feet high and very broad.

`Pendula' is a weeping type reaching 15 to 20 feet with beautiful fruit. An extremely versatile plant hardy in the Tidewater area and into central Virginia. The purplish tinge to new leaves and white-to-gray bark distinguish the Yaupon Holly. Yaupon Holly tolerates wind and hot climates better than most evergreen hollies.