Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem'

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Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem'

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Kemper Code: A232

Common Name: Japanese holly
Zone: 5 to 8
Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Greenish white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Where is this species invasive in the US?

Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best yellow foliage color for 'Golden Gem' occurs in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, including clay soils and urban pollution. Prefers light, moist, acidic soils with good drainage. Chlorosis (leaf yellowing) may occur in alkaline soils. Japanese hollies are dioecious (separate male and female plants). 'Golden Gem' is an all-male cultivar which will not produce fruit. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it should be grown in a protected location with a winter mulch.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

'Golden Gem' is a dwarf, evergreen Japanese holly cultivar which, as the cultivar name suggests, is noted for its unusual golden foliage. It grows somewhat slowly in a flat-topped mound to only 2' tall. Features elliptic to obovate, golden yellow leaves (typically 1/2 to 1 1/4" long). Japanese holly foliage somewhat resembles boxwoods more than hollies. Non-showy, tiny, greenish-white flowers appear along the stems in the leaf axils in late spring.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Spider mites can be troublesome. Nematodes are a problem in the South.

Uses:

Rock garden. Small hedge. Incorporate into a foundation planting.