Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back, middle

Soil

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Found over a century ago growing in a garden, Ilex 'Golden King' is just one of several popular varieties of a garden hybrid, Ilex x altaclerensis, bred partly from the common English holly, Ilex aquifolium. It's very hardy and tolerates most soils, as well as seaside air and atmospheric pollution, and fruits well in sun or shade. Its handsome variegated leaves are flat and shapely, free from spines and ornamented with a prominent irregular golden yellow edge. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Ilex 'Golden King' in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Grow near a male plant for good crops of berries.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Fruitsyesyesyesyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyes
Pruneyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Ilex ‘Golden king’ and wildlife

Ilex ‘Golden king’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, provides shelter and habitat, has seeds for birds and makes a good wildlife hedge.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Ilex ‘Golden king’ poisonous?

Ilex ‘Golden king’ irritates skin. Its fruit is toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
Is known to attract People
People
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
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