Holly Touch of Gold

Touch of Gold Holly brightens Southern landscapes with dense golden-yellow evergreen foliage lightly flecked with green. This naturally low, mounded Japanese holly stays about two feet tall while spreading wider, making it easy to use near foundations, along borders, in low hedges, or in containers. Give it full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, with regular water while it becomes established. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Ilex crenata 'Adorned'
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• USDA zones: 6-9
• Mature size: About 2 ft tall x 4 ft wide
• Foliage: Evergreen; bright golden-yellow leaves with green flecking
• Flowers or feature: Grown primarily for year-round golden foliage; spring flowers are small and inconspicuous
• Bloom season: Spring
• Water: Average; water regularly while establishing and avoid poorly drained soil
• Growth habit: Compact, dense and mounded
• Landscape uses: Foundation planting, low hedge, border, mass planting, container, four-season accent
• Deer tolerance: Generally deer resistant, not deer-proof

South Carolina garden note: Good light supports the strongest golden color in Zone 8b, while some afternoon shade can help in very hot sites.

Plant size and performance vary with climate, soil, pruning and care. Availability changes with nursery inventory.