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ILEX crenata 'Golden Gem'
Commonly known as Japanese holly
Compact shrub with attractive yellowish leaves in winter and spring
Further Reading....
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Evergreen - leaves 1-2cm (½-¾in) long. Turns yellow-green in summer.
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Height - 1.1m (3½ft)
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Spread - 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
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Medium shrub - Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height - compact, low-growing, shy-flowering shrub. Black berries.
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Hardy - very cold winter - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
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Full sun - best in full sun.
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Additional Features - Berries - These plants have berries.
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Pests & Diseases - scale insects, leaf miners.
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Place of origin - Russia, Japan, Korea.
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Hardiness - Fully hardy -
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Leaf Colour (if not green) - Gold -
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Pruning group - Pruning group 1
Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal Interest - Autumn -
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Spring
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Summer
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Winter
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Soil Conditions - Fertile moist well-drained soil -
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Tree Shape - Broadly columnar -
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Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
Hedging - Box Alternatives
Ilex - Growing Guide
1.1m (3½ft)
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1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) |
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50