‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ is a cultivar of a beautiful and hardy native species of Holly that grows in coastal NC as well as other Southeastern states. Both ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ and the species are evergreen; both are very adaptable, thriving in a range of cultural conditions from moist to dry, in full sun to part shade; both have a lovely texture, composed of small, lustrous, dark green leaves; and both undergo pruning beautifully. What is special about the cultivar is its size (only 3-4 feet high by 5 feet wide at maturity) which makes ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ ideal for shearing into a formal hedge or using individually as a foundation plant. It is also reliably female with a heavy load of translucent red berries clinging to the stems through the winter, attracting birds and providing distinct winter interest. (‘Rudolph’ evokes a red nose, though it sounds male!) ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ fills out to the ground, so it does not require any filler to cover bare lower stems like some other evergreen shrubs. It must be noted that it is intolerant of urban pollution and should be sited accordingly. Being a female, its pollination requirements can be met by either a male cultivar (such as ‘Schilling’s Dwarf’) or by a nearby male Ilex decidua (Possumhaw) or Ilex opaca (American Holly). It is drought- and disease-resistant and provides beautiful material for a formal garden planting while also providing the benefits of being native, i.e., it supports native pollinators and bird life! Since selections do not have a natural plant distribution, the USDA distribution map linked below is for the species.
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Ilex vomitoria ‘Taylor’s Rudolph’
Key Info
Common Names: 'Taylor's Dwarf' Yaupon, 'Taylor's Rudolph' Yaupon
Family Names: Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Flower Color: White
Additional Info
Habit: Compact, dense, rounded form grows more horizontally then vertically.
Height: 3-4'
Spread: 5'
Soil Conditions: A broad range of conditions: moist to dry; acid to slightly alkaline, sand, loam, clay.
Leaves: Small (1.5 inches x 34 inch wide), simple, alternate, glossy, ovate to elliptical dark green above and lighter below, with crenate or coarsely serrated margins, rounded base and prominent, pinnate venation.
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Small, white, fragrant, inconspicuous 4-parted flowers in spring: axillary, pistillate flowers either singular or in groups of 2-3.
Fruit: If a male is nearby, fruits occur on female plants in the fall: small, round, shiny, usually red drupes ~1/4 inch diameter, containing four nutlets (pyrenes), which are eventually dispersed by birds eating the fruit.
Natural Distribution: cultivar of Ilex vomitoria
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FAC
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Taylor's Rudolph Yaupon foliage serves as larval host for Henry's Elfin Butterfly. Also, as for the Ilex vomitoria species, many kinds of song and game birds will utilize the berries in winter, as will small mammals, if they are nearby (see the entry for Ilex vomitoria). Likewise, Taylor's Rudolph Yaupon, being evergreen, would provide cover for many animals in winter. There are conflicting reports as to its susceptibility to deer browse.
Propagation: From hardwood cuttings.