Plant Profile: Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'

Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' is a compact, rounded evergreen shrub that represents a dwarf variety of its species. It typically reaches a height of up to 5 feet and features brittle, densely packed branches adorned with dark green leaves measuring between 0.5 and 1.5 inches long, which emerge in a yellow-green hue. When pollinated, the small greenish-white flowers found on female plants develop into persistent red drupes, although these fruits are less abundant and not as visually striking as those produced by the species. This shrub flowers in early to mid-spring, with its fruits often concealed by the tightly clustered branches. The Dwarf Yaupon Holly tends to spread more horizontally than vertically, making it suitable for topiary designs. Its leaves exhibit a noticeable color difference, appearing much darker on the upper side than on the underside. This plant is resilient to drought and salt spray, thrives in wet soil, is easy to transplant, and is not known to suffer from pest issues.

**Quick Identification Tips:**

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