Woody > Ilex > Ilex x altaclerensis > Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King'
Ilex x altaclerensis
'Golden King'
Golden King Highclere Holly
Origin: It was developed at Highclere castle in 1835 and is a cross between Ilex aquifolium (English Holly) and Ilex perado (Madeiran Holly), they aimed at creating a holly variety that combined the hardiness of the English holly with the glossy, spiny leaves of the Madeiran holly.
Mike's
Opinion
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For a number of reasons, the Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’, also known as Highclere Holly, is considered by many to be a great option for ornamental landscaping. In garden landscapes, the variegated leaf with its vivid golden-yellow edge and deep green heart provides elegance and contrast. It’s an eye-catching addition because the shiny leaves give it a polished, luxuriant look. Highclere Hollys evergreen status guarantees that it adds interest to the garden all year round. Even in the winter, the evergreen foliage with its glossy texture and variegation remains beautiful. Apart from its artistic attributes, ‘Golden King’ requires minimal upkeep. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, is generally pest and disease-resistant, and does well in shade. In my view, Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly is a cultivar that gardeners prefer because of its year-round interest, wildlife-friendly qualities, adaptability in landscaping, and atractive appearance. ‘Golden King’ enhances the beauty and appeal of outdoor areas when utilized as a focal point, hedge, or festive decoration. I strongly endorse Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ to anyone looking to bring wintertime colour and contrast to their landscape or gardens.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
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| Family |
| Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus |
| Ilex |
| Species |
| x altaclerensis |
| Cultivar |
| 'Golden King' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6b - 7a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6a - 6b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-21) - 15 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-5) - 5 |
| Height |
| 6 m |
| Spread |
| 3 m |
Photographs
Awards
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Shape |
| Compact, broad pyramidal crown. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
| 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. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Holly plants are symbolic and connected to customs and ceremonies in certain civilizations. Holly varieties, like as ‘Golden King’ have an evergreen quality that has been associated with life and energy, especially in the winter. While ‘Golden King’ Highclere Holly is mainly grown for ornamental purposes, other Holly species have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, including the use of its leaves. For example because some Holly species extracts may have anti- inflammatory qualities, they have been employed in traditional medicine. Among the Hollie’s that benefit animals are ‘Golden King’ whose berries in the wintertime supply food for birds. Although it is not a direct human use, this increases the plants ecological worth. Holly wood has occasionally been utilized for modest woodworking projects. Because of its fine grain and smooth finish, Holly wood is a good material for turning, inlay work, and carving. |
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