Who doesn’t love having elegant and polished landscaping with minimal effort? While some shrubs require a lot of work to maintain, or only look nice for a few months of the year, other shrubs can make your landscaping look great all year. One of the best shrubs for year-round beauty with minimal effort is the stunning ‘Bordeaux’ yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria).

‘Bordeaux’ yaupon holly is an adorable shrub that rarely grows past 5 feet tall by 6 feet wide. Despite its small size, it makes a big impact in the landscape, thanks to the bright red or yellow berries that the female plants produce. Just be sure to plant a male nearby. Their new foliage is also a beautiful red color. Best of all, ‘Bordeaux’ holly is native to the United States, making it a great way for gardeners to up their native plant game. ‘Bordeaux’ holly is even a host plant for butterfly larva, and their flowers benefit native bees. All these benefits come with very little work on your part since the holly naturally grows in a rounded shape that seldom requires any pruning to look polished and neat.

Hardy in zones 7 through 9, ‘Bordeaux’ holly thrives in a variety of soil textures, from clay-heavy to sandy. Unlike some hollies, it can also grow in a range of soil pHs, from acidic to alkaline. Additionally, it is fairly tolerant of both drought and wet soil. When looking for the ideal spot to put your ‘Bordeaux’ holly, opt for a location in either part shade or full sun. They also grow well in planters and containers, making them perfect for sprucing up a drab porch or patio.

If you’ve struggled with deer nibbling your landscaping, the ‘Bordeaux’ holly may be the answer to your problem, as they are seldom touched by deer. With their small leaves and beautiful shape, they can also make excellent replacements for boxwood trees and shrubs lost to boxwood blight. Whether you grow them alone or opt for layering them with other evergreens for privacy, ‘Bordeaux’ hollies are little shrubs that can make a big impact.