How To Plant, Prune, Fertilize, Water And Care For Dwarf Yaupon Holly Shrubs

How To Test Soil Drainage  

If you are uncertain about soil drainage in the area you intend to plant, it's well worth taking the time to test the it before planting. To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide by 12" deep in the planting area. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Then, after it drains, fill it with water again, but this time clock how long it takes to drain. In well-drained soil the water level will go down at a rate of about 1 inch an hour. A faster rate, such as in loose, sandy soil, may signal potentially dry site conditions, and the need to add some top soil or other organic matter to provide moisture retention. A slower rate indicates poor draining soil and is a caution you might need to improve drainage, plant in a raised mound or bed, or look for plants that are more tolerant of constantly wet or boggy conditions.

Dwarf yaupon holly tolerate a wide range of soil pH, performing best in acid to slightly alkaline soil ranging between 5.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Dwarf yaupon holly grow and look their best in full to mostly sun. Some light shade is tolerated. Too much shade and foliage thins. A minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight is recommended for best foliage density.

Backfill with your soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of potting soil is even with the top edge of root ball.

Water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes in the bottom of the container. Add more soil mixture if settling occurs during watering.

Apply a 1/2" layer of wood chips or sphagnum moss to soil surface to help conserve moisture. Stone mulch can also be used.

I feed my dwarf yaupon hollies in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to emerge. 

Note:  If the foliage of your dwarf yaupon hollies develop chlorosis (leaves turn light green or yellowish) this could be an indicator of a high soil pH (alkaline soil). For deep greening of foliage , simply apply iron or soil sulfur at rates suggested on the product label.

Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It? 

Shrubs feed themselves from their root system. The feeder roots of established shrubs are found at and beyond the outside perimeter of the branch system, what many professionals call the "drip line." Therefore, this is where most of the fertilizer should be spread. 

How far outside the drip line you spread fertilizer will depend on the age and size of the shrub. As a general rule, spread the fertilizer 3-4 inches beyond the drip line for each 12-inches of shrub height. For example, if a shrub is two feet tall spread the fertilizer about 6 to 8 inches beyond the drip line.

Immediately after planting deep soak the soil in the planting area to a depth equal to the height of the plants root ball. For an extra boost, to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development, you can also water you newly planted dwarf yaupon hollies with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants. When planted during the winter dormant season plants will require less water.

In average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted dwarf yaupon hollies every day. More often than not, this causes soggy soil conditions that can lead to root rot and other harmful plant diseases. In the absence of sufficient rainfall, water only as needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist. Keep in mind that deep soaking less frequently is much better than splashing just a little water on the plants every day. Shrubs planted during the winter dormant season, when plants are not actively growing and evaporation is much slower, will require much less water.

When established dwarf yaupon hollies are quite drought tolerant. That said, during prolonged periods of drought they will appreciate an occasional deep soaking. If during a drought you see leaves wilting or falling from the plant, or new branch tips are drooping, this could be a sign your plants need a good deep soaking.

Dwarf yaupon hollies do not require pruning to maintain their dense form. That said, they respond very well to pruning and shearing for formal hedges and shapes, which is one reason they are so immensely popular.

Dwarf yaupon hollies can be lightly pruned or sheared almost any time of year. That said, to avoid freeze damage to tender new growth stimulated by pruning, cease pruning or shearing in fall, two months prior to the average first-frost date in your area. When plants have stopped growing in winter pruning can resume. 

Hard pruning, to rejuvenate an old and tired plant, or to reduce the size of a plant that has outgrown the space it was intended to fill, should be performed in late winter before new spring growth begins to emerge. More on that below.

 

Any time of year, hand pruners can be used to cut back a stray branch that is spoiling the shape of the plant. Make your pruning cut at a point along the branch just above the main form of the plant. 

Removal of dead or damaged branches can and should be done when they appear. Cut damaged branches at a point just past the breakage. Cut dead branches off below the dead part or at their origin. Discard these plant parts.

As mentioned, dwarf yaupon hollies are immensely popular for use as formal hedges and topiary shapes. Sharp hedge trimmers or clippers can be used several times during the growing season to lightly shear plants to a desired shape. Cease pruning two months prior to the average first-frost date in your area. Pruning can resume in winter when plants have stopped growing.