Quick Facts
- Common Name: Golden King Holly, Variegated Holly
- Botanical Name: Ilex × altaclerensis 'Golden King'
- Plant Type: Evergreen shrub / small tree
- Mature Height: 3–6m (can be kept smaller with pruning)
- Mature Spread: 2–4m
- Foliage: Glossy deep green leaves with broad golden-yellow margins; excellent year-round colour
- Flowers: Small white flowers in late spring (May to June)
- Berries: Red berries may form if a suitable pollinator is nearby (this cultivar is typically male)
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy throughout UK & Ireland)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant once established
- Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
- Maintenance: Low to moderate (pruning optional)
Description
Ilex × altaclerensis 'Golden King' is one of the finest evergreen hollies for year-round brightness and structure. With glossy, richly green leaves edged in warm gold, it brings instant lift to borders and hedging, and it looks particularly striking through winter when so many plants fade.
Despite the name, 'Golden King' is typically a male holly, grown for its handsome variegated foliage rather than heavy berry production. In late spring, it produces small white flowers that are valuable for pollinators, and if there’s a compatible female holly nearby, it can help with pollination and berry set on those plants. Its foliage is dense and architectural, making it ideal for screening, shaping, and adding a strong evergreen backbone to a garden.
Hardy and reliable in Irish and UK gardens, it’s tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions once established. Use it as a specimen shrub, a clipped hedge, or a small evergreen tree for structure and privacy. It also works beautifully in more formal planting, where its variegation adds a refined highlight without looking showy.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Space plants 1.5–2.5m apart for screening, or closer (80cm–1.2m) for hedging depending on the size you’re planting and how quickly you want coverage. Plant container-grown specimens year-round, ideally in spring (March–May) or early autumn (September–October). Choose a position in full sun to partial shade—sun gives the strongest golden edging, while partial shade is ideal in very exposed gardens. Dig a generous hole, loosen the soil well, and incorporate compost to support establishment. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water thoroughly, and mulch.
Soil Preparation:
Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable. Tolerates clay, loam, and sandy soils as long as drainage is reasonable. Improve heavy clay with organic matter to aid drainage; improve sandy soils with compost to retain moisture. Mulch annually to conserve moisture, protect roots, and improve soil structure.
Seasonal Care / Pruning:
Low maintenance. Water during dry spells in the first 1–2 years while establishing. Once established, it’s fairly tolerant. Prune in late spring or late summer if you want to maintain a neat shape or hedge line. Avoid hard pruning in late autumn, as fresh growth can be vulnerable to cold snaps. Remove any dead or damaged branches in spring.
Berries & Pollination:
'Golden King' is usually male, so it won’t typically carry berries itself. If you want berries in the garden, plant a female holly nearby (and keep a male pollinator within range). Even without berries, this is an outstanding foliage plant for winter structure and colour.
Pests & Problems:
Generally trouble-free. Watch for leaf miner (blistering trails in leaves) and scale insects in mild conditions. Healthy plants with good airflow tend to cope well.
Design Notes:
Perfect for year-round structure in mixed borders, excellent for evergreen screening, and beautiful clipped into formal shapes. Looks especially good with dark evergreens, yew, skimmia, and winter-flowering plants like hellebores.
