Ilex vomitoria 'Will Fleming' holly is a narrow, upright, multi-stemmed evergreen tree that is drought and salt-spray tolerant. It reaches 12 to 15 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It prefers well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and is easily transplanted. Best time to water is when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry. 'Will Fleming' is a male cultivar and will not bear fruit, but can be planted as a pollinizer for female varieties.
How to care for Will Fleming Yaupon Holly
Light. Full sun to partial shade.
Water. Water the root ball two to three times a week for the first year. Once established, it is drought tolerant and also handles wet soil.
Soil and feeding. It adapts to clay, sand, loam or rocky soil, acid or alkaline, as long as it drains reasonably well.
Size. Grows 12–15 ft tall but stays narrow. It starts tight and upright, then opens up as it matures.
Pruning. It takes heavy pruning and can be kept as a hedge or small tree. Cut yaupon root sprouts to the ground as they appear.
Problems to watch. Holly leafminer, spider mites, whitefly and scale are occasional pests. Leaf spot and powdery mildew are possible.
Good to know. A male selection of the native yaupon, so it has no berries. It tolerates salt spray. The leaves can cause nausea if eaten in quantity.
Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Ilex vomitoria 'Will Fleming' · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Yaupon Holly
