Golden Gem Japanese holly
Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem'
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones5 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size18 to 24 inches tall18 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Bloom color
- Greenish white
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'Golden Gem' Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem') is a shrub for borders, hedges, foundation plantings, and winter interest. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full or part sun and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows slowly into a dense, evergreen mound that stays 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Deer tend to browse other plants first. Bees visit the greenish white flowers in spring.
Pairs well with Karl Foerster feather reed grass, Red twig dogwood, and Casa Blanca lily.