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| How fast does Pride of Houston yaupon grow in zone 6b? Both in height and spread?
The label says 10-15 ft high and 10 ft wide. Height is not an issue, just need to know planting distances for long-term growth. From what I’ve read, the dimensions given in plant characteristics are usually based on 10 years of growth. I need to plant an evergreen hedge to protect the view from the street. I want natives. Partial shade,derived from deciduous hardwoods. According to a local native plant nursery person, yaupons (presumably, the native variety rather than cultivars) do OK here. For me, suckering is OK and desirable. Anything I plant there will have to be on its own; it’s difficult to water that far from the house, although I’ll do my best to water them the first year. Foster holly and its descendants (opaca?, cassine?, whatever germinates from the Foster holly seeds) do pretty well, albeit very slowly. Also, are there any invasive problems with Pride of Houston seeds? I already have a male native yaupon for pollination. I’m basing the sex on yellow anthers. BTW, the male is not suckering after 5 years, 6 ft tall, and full sun. I don’t know what else to ask, so if you have any comments I’d appreciate them. Thanks for any help. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Sounds like 'Pride of Houston' is a selected version of Ilex vomitoria (not a hybrid). Foster hollies on the other hand, are hybrids (parents are Ilex opaca and Ilex cassine). One internet source says this about 'Pride of Houston': Pride of Houston can grow in almost any soil and can live in wet or dry, rich or poor soil. Its leaves are narrow, inch-long, toothed, dark green leaves. This Yaupon can get to a height of 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Michael Dirr's reference simply says "medium sized shrub with heavy fruit set". HOWEVER, most sources (including Dirr) only list this as hardy to zone 7. If you're in zone 6b, you might be taking a chance on a whole hedge of these should cold temps come along one winter. |
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| Thanks. I'll plant them anyway because I can't find anything else that seems to fit my needs and is readily available. The present yaupon doesn't seem to suffer from the cold after five/six years here. Needs: native, evergreen, shrub,berry-producing, partial shade, adaptable to various soil and water conditions, taller than 8 ft. I have enough junipers and viburnum to break up the monotony of a line of holly. Rhodies are too expensive and grow too slowly. Mahonia is too invasive here. The worst that can happen is that they'll die, but the holes and amendments will already be there for the next attempts. |
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| Ok, well if you already have Ilex vomitoria then I think you can take a chance on this, you're right. What about using Prunus caroliniana - the cultivar 'Compacta' is very full and good looking (in my opinion)? |
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| Never thought about a cultivar of caroliniana! That's a great idea. Just did a Google search and it looks promising. I'll check to see if any local nurseries have it. |
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