Dwarf Yaupon Holly and Boxwood are evergreen shrubs or trees that contain decumbent branches. But their foliage, flowers, and fruits are completely different.

Dwarf yaupon holly is a compact, low-growing evergreen shrub with gray to brown leaves. It grows to about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

The boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a common shrub or small tree. The leaves look like small clusters of white dots and are often grouped together along the stems.

Because of their ornamental uses and low-maintenance growth style, they are both popular. Read along with us to know more about Dwarf Yaupon Holly vs Boxwood.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly Vs Boxwood (Comparison)

Unique Difference	Dwarf Yaupon Holly	Boxwood
Flowers	Dwarf Yaupon Holly is white.	They are yellowish green
Leaves	Their leaves are 0.3–1 inch.	The length of the leaves is 0.5–1.5 inches
Growth	The growth rate is 3 to 5 inches annually.	The growth rate is less than 12 inches annually.
Fruits	The fruits are red	The boxwood fruits are brown.
Size	The height is 4 feet, and the width is 5 feet.	Height is 6.5 while the width is 39 ft.
Origin	Dwarf Yaupon Holly originated from southeastern North America.	Boxwood origin is traced to America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Classification	It belongs to lIex vomitoria ‘Nana’ class.	Boxwood belongs to Buxus.
Hardiness Zones	7 to 10	5-9 hardiness zone

Differences Between Dwarf Yaupon Holly Vs Boxwood

The key differences between dwarf yaupon holly and boxwood are seen in their size, origin, berries, leaf size, how fast they grow, and color.

1. Classification 

By classification, Yaupon holly is the species Ilex vomitoria and a “Nana” species, a member of the Aquifoliaceae in the holly family. They are made up of approximately 560 different species. 

Boxwood is any species in the Buxus genus, the Buxaceae family group/box family, and not a single species.

They comprised approximately 70 species and other different cultivars, which have 150 different varieties. You can see them in different habitats across the world because they have a wide distribution.

2. Size

A significant difference between Dwarf Yaupon Holly vs Boxwood is their size. Boxwood can grow from a range of 6.5 to 39 feet. While dwarf yaupon. 

holly reaches only about 4 to 5 feet. They both are good for shrubs but they keep Boxwood as small trees and ornamental shrubs.

3. Leaves

Boxwood naturally has larger leaves that are oval-shaped and 0.5 to 1.5 inches long than dwarf yaupon holly. It also has dense foliage, leathery texture, and medium green leaves which turn a little yellowish during the winter and fall months.

But dwarf yaupon holly leaves are also oval-shaped and 0.3 to 1 inch long. Their leaves are glossy green and grow on brittle branches. 

4. Flowers

Boxwood produces male and female flowers on the same plant called monoecious which appears as a single flower surrounded by up to six male flowers.

Dwarf yaupon holly produces tiny white flowers, and they produce male and female flowers on separate plants rather than the same plant like boxwood.

The male or female plant is called “Dioecious flower”. Males plants provide the pollen while female plants produce the berries.

5. Fruits

Only female dwarf yaupon hollies produce berries, while the males produce pollen. The males fertilize it to create berries. When the berries appear, they are small and pea-sized which is around 1/4″and red.

These berries are a food source for many small birds but toxic to humans as they can even cause vomiting. 

Coming to boxwoods, we know them as inconspicuous plants just like their flowers. This is because they are dull brown and so small that you can barely notice them.

All boxwoods produce fruits as they produce both male and female flowers on the same plant. 

Upon fertilization, they produce small three-chambered capsules which are approximately 1/3″ diameter. They are green in the initial stage but turn brown once they mature.

When they mature, they split open to remove tiny, shiny black seeds. Birds consume these seeds but they are toxic to humans. 

FAQs on Dwarf Yaupon Holly Vs Boxwood

Is Boxwood or Holly a Better Plant?

Both the Boxwood and Holly are easy to maintain hedges or shrubs. You can use both for backyard landscaping. They are resilient plants and the boxwood grows in the hardiness zone of 5 to 9 and the holly grows in the hardiness zone of 7 to 10.

Are Boxwood And Holly The Same?

Both boxwood and Holly are flowering plants and are known as evergreen shrubs or trees. The only difference is in their reproductive system. 

Dwarf holly is a dioecious tree(grows male and female flowers differently), while boxwood is a monoecious tree(grows male and female flowers on the same plant).

How Big Do Dwarf Yaupon Hollies Get?

Holly gets 3 to 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

They are reliable small shrubs that maintain a compact and neat habit.

What is Another Name for Boxwood?

Boxwood is also known as Buxus sempervirens, common box, or European box. They are a species of flowering plant in the genus Buxus. 

You can trace its native to southwest Asia, northern Morocco, western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, southern and eastern England, Turkey, and the northern Mediterranean region. 

Does Yaupon Holly Need Full Sun?

Yaupon hollies should be planted where they receive partial or full sun. They need care and are drought and salt tolerant. 

This means that holly plants can find a home in a variety of landscapes and backyards.

Conclusion 

Dwarf yaupon holly is also a fast-growing evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and red bracts at the base of each flower. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide with a dense, pyramidal form.

The yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is typically a low-growing tree, so it’s not a tree you’d want to climb. 

Another common ornamental tree is boxwood. Boxwood has been found to grow well in southern and northern regions of America, Asia, Africa, and Europe and hence could be a great plant addition in most areas in the United States. 

If you are thinking of planting a hedge, then you might wonder what to plant in your garden. Of course, choose something that will serve the purpose best.

But if your locality has humidity and temperature conditions like in Southern states or Northern parts of the USA, then I would suggest going for either dwarf yaupon Holly or boxwood.