Ilex altaclerensis 'Golden King' | 9cm Pot | 30cm - 40cm Height

Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ brings vibrant, year-round colour and structure to any UK garden, truly living up to its regal name.

This distinguished evergreen holly offers a stunning display of variegated foliage. It shines throughout every season. Rich green leaves are elegantly edged with creamy-yellow. This provides a luminous presence even on the dullest days. Often admired for its strong architectural form, ‘Golden King’ establishes itself as a focal point. It effortlessly enhances borders, hedges, or container displays. Its robust nature makes it a cherished addition for both novice and experienced gardeners.

• Striking evergreen foliage with creamy-yellow margins.
• Produces bright red berries, adding winter interest.
• Relatively spineless leaves, making it easier to handle.
• Excellent for hedging, screening, or as a standalone specimen.
• Tolerates pruning well, allowing for various shapes and sizes.
• Provides shelter and food for garden wildlife, particularly birds.
• Hardy and adaptable to a range of UK garden conditions.

A Tapestry of Gold and Green with Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’

The Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ features magnificent foliage that truly captures attention. Each dark green leaf boasts a broad, creamy-yellow margin, creating a lively contrast. This vibrant variegation ensures the plant remains a striking feature through all seasons, brightening even the gloomiest winter days. Unlike many hollies, its leaves are largely spineless, making this plant a gentler presence in the garden and easier to manage. Its evergreen nature guarantees continuous visual interest and a constant splash of colour.

A Royal Heritage and Name

The Ilex altaclerensis group originated at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, UK. This explains its species name. This particular cultivar, ‘Golden King’, gained its name from the brilliant golden hues within its foliage. Despite the masculine implication, this is a female holly. If a male holly pollinator is nearby, Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ will adorn itself with bright red berries. These appear during autumn and winter, offering a spectacular, long-lasting show that attracts birds.

Versatile Garden Performer

Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ serves many purposes within the garden design. Its upright, often columnar growth habit makes it an outstanding choice for formal or informal hedging, providing excellent privacy screening. Moreover, it shines as a standalone specimen plant, where its vibrant foliage and architectural form can be fully appreciated. You can also integrate it into mixed borders, where its evergreen structure offers a valuable backdrop and year-round definition.

A Haven for Wildlife

This beautiful holly cultivar provides a welcome sanctuary for garden wildlife. Its dense, evergreen canopy offers excellent shelter for small birds, especially during colder months. Furthermore, the brilliant red berries produced by Ilex altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ become a vital food source for many bird species through autumn and winter, supporting local biodiversity. Tolerant of pruning, gardeners can easily shape this holly to suit specific needs, ensuring it remains healthy and attractive.