| General Description | Small evergreen tree or large shrub that is compact and bushy, with broad oval-shaped green
leaves that have a thick golden border. Ilex x altaclerensis, also referred to as ‘Golden King’, is an
eye-catching evergreen shrub that is increasingly in demand for use in landscapes and decorative
gardens. This particular Holly cultivar is a hybrid that was produced by crossing English Holly (Ilex
aquifolium), with Madeiran Holly (Ilex perado). The large, glossy leaves have a striking golden-
yellow edge that stands out clearly against the deep green centre. |
| ID Characteristic | The foliage of the ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly is one of its most striking characteristics. The
smooth, glossy leaves have a light green colour with a golden border. They yield like green
berries in clusters from the terminal buds, with a purplish brown pit. ‘Golden King’ is a large
shrub with a broad pyramidal crown, dense foliage, and a moderate growth rate. |
| Shape | Compact, broad pyramidal crown. |
| Landscape | ‘Golden King’ works well as a specimen shrub or as a colourful hedge. Suitable for use in wildlife
gardens and cottages. Plantable in patio, small gardens, and containers. It works best in settings
where it can become a focal point or in casual backgrounds where it can blend in. Variegation
brightens shadowed places and adds visual interest to the winter landscape, which is both
visually pleasant and useful. Because of its compact and well-branched structure, it’s a great
option for screening, hedging, or as a garden specimen on its own. The plant adds to overall
beauty of the landscape by keeping its lovely shape all year round. |
| Propagation | Use semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn, or propagate using root cuttings in late
winter and hardwood cuttings in January heated from below. Gather seeds between December
and January, then plant them in a cold frame as soon as they are mature. It can take up to
eighteen months for the seeds to sprout. Use premium fertilizer and soak the medium in
solution to eradicate any bacteria or bug eggs before placing it in a container. To enhance
drainage, place crock at the bottom of the pot. Keep young seedlings out of the sun during
summers high temperatures. When the plant is actively growing, which occurs in late summer to
early autumn, take semi-hardwood cuttings. Slice pieces of disease-free healthy stems into 10-16
cm, take the leaves off of the bottom part, and add rooting hormone to the cut end. Plant the
cuttings in a rooting medium that drains properly, like a perlite and peat mixture. The cuttings
should be placed in a damp area with indirect light. After the cuttings have formed roots, place
them in separate pots. |
| Cultivation | The simplicity of cultivating ‘Golden King’ makes it a desirable choice for both inexperienced and
seasoned gardeners. Well-drained soils with a pH between 5 - 6, which is slightly acidic to
neutral — are ideal for this Holly’s growth. As long as proper drainage is maintained, it can be
applied to a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. The plant can withstand
moderate sun exposure, but it thrives in full to partial shade. It can be grown in an urban setting
and can also flourish in the air near the oceans. |
| Pests | A potential problem for Holly plants, such as ‘Golden King’ is scale insects. These pests cling to
stems and leaves in order to feed on the sap of the plant. Severe infestations may weaken the
plant and result in reduced growth and discolouration of the leaves. Spider mites are
microscopic arachnids that feed on plant sap and can produce stippling or discolouration on
leaves. Certain insect larvae burrow through leaves to produce visible tracks, which are known as
leaf minors. Even though they might not seriously harm the plants general health, their presence
can nevertheless be unattractive. On Holly plants, leaf spot diseases can be caused by a variety
of fungal pathogens. Symptoms include dark patches on foliage, frequently surrounded by red or
yellow haloes. High humidity and inadequate air circulation increase the risk of fungal infections.
Holly plants are susceptible to root-knot nematodes, which can cause root damage and
decreased plant vigour. |
| Notable Specimens | Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The stems are greenish brown, while the bark has a light brown hue. The new growth is lime
green in colour, originating from the leaf axis. When the plant is young, the bark of the ‘Golden
King’ Highclere Holly is usually smooth and greyish-brown. The bark of the shrub may become
more rough and have little furrows as it ages, giving it a slightly rugged aspect. The glossy leaves
that adorn the branches of the Highclere Holly typically cover the woody stems of the plant. A
dense, well-branched structure is produced by the stems being positioned alternately along the
branches. In addition to keeping herbivores away, the spines on the stems provide the plant a
textural feature that enhances its overall appearance. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Usually tiny, greenish-white and barley noticeable, the flowers frequently blend in with the
surrounding foliage. They usually show up in late spring or early summer, giving the shrubs
overall appearance a delicate touch of elegance. Usually, there’s not much of a perfume
emanating from the blossoms. More than any fragrant attributes connected to its blossoms, the
plant is prized for its aesthetic attractiveness. The reproductive cycle that produces the light
green berries depends heavily on the blooms. |
| Leaf Description | The ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly usually has broad, elliptical leaves that are slightly elongated in
shape. They are grouped sporadically throughout the stems and range in length from 5-10 cm.
The leathery texture of the leaves gives the vegetation a strong, solid appearance. The
variegation of the leaves is one of their most distinguishing characteristics. Rich background
colour is provided by the leafs deep green heart, which is surrounded by a vivid golden-yellow
edge. The plant stands out in the landscape thanks to its variegated pattern, which also provides
a dramatic contrast and visual intrigue. The glossy or shiny quality of the leaves adds to their
visual appeal. The plant gains a touch of elegance from its glossiness, which is especially
noticeable when the leaves catch sunlight and cast a play of light and shadow. ‘Golden King’
Highclere Holly is an evergreen shrub that keeps it leaves all year long. Because of its evergreen
foliage, the plant adds year-round greenery to the landscape and keeps it visual appeal
throughout the winter. |
| Flower Description | Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly usually tiny, greenish-white, and barely , the
flowers frequently blend in with the surrounding foliage. They usually show up in the late spring
or early summer, giving the shrubs overall appearance a delicate touch elegance. In order to help
female plants form berries, pollen from the male flowers is carried to the female flowers by wind
or pollinators. Usually, there’s not much of a perfume emanating from the blossoms. More than
any fragrant attributes connected to its blossoms, the plant is prized for its aesthetic
attractiveness. |
| Fruit Description | Fruit only develops on newly sprouting plant material. Autumn yields fruit that persists into
winter. The berries may be beautiful, but be careful—if you eat any, they are poisonous. This is
especially important in homes with young children or pets. The berries on ‘Golden King’
Highclere Holly are usually tiny with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 cm. The berries have an incredibly
vivid green colour. The vibrant green colour stands out sharply against the leaves deep green and
golden-yellow variegation. The hue gives the plant a decorative touch, particularly in the winter
and autumn. The berries glossy, smooth surface adds to their attractive appearance. Their glossy
texture makes them look more appealing, especially in the sunlight when it creates a reflected
effect. During the winter, when many other plants have lost their leaves or gone dormant,
berries usually remain on the plant, adding seasonal interest and colour. |
| Colour Description | All year round, the leaves are green with a vivid yellow border. Berries appear from autumn
through winter and have a bright green colour with a purple pit. Throughout the summer, new
growth may have a purple tinge, while the bark is a greenish brown colour. The leaves
midsection has a deep, rich green colour. This creates a rich, traditional evergreen background.
‘Golden King’ stands out because to its vivid golden-yellow border surrounding the rich green
heart. The leaves gains brightness and visual appeal from this variegation, which produces a
stunning contrast. ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly bears tiny berries in late October. Usually
brilliant green in hue, these berries give the plant a hint of seasonality. ‘Golden King’ stems and
bark are generally neutral in colour, ranging from greyish-brown to brown. When new growth
first appears in the spring, it could have a paler green hue before maturing into a deep rich green
hue. In contrast to the rich green colour on the upper surface, the underside of the leaves may
have a somewhat paler green tint. |
| Texture Description | The ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly has leathery-feeling leaves. This feature gives the leaves a
more solid and real feel. The leaves have smooth, silky feel that is enhanced by their glossy
surface. The surface of the berries on ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly is glossy and silky. Their
glossy texture enhances the physical pleasure of touching the plant in addition to its visual
appeal. ‘Golden King’ stems and bark are typically woody in texture. As the shrub ages, it’s bark
may become slightly rough, but overall it feels rather smooth. |
