Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ is a stunning hybrid holly that is perfect for adding an elegant touch to any garden. This evergreen shrub is a cross between two holly species, Ilex aquifolium and Ilex perado, and has bright green, glossy leaves with yellow edges.
It is a popular choice for hedges, topiary and borders, and is also a great addition to any wildlife garden as it attracts birds and butterflies. The Golden King is very easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, making it an ideal choice for any gardener. With its striking foliage and easy maintenance, the Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ is an excellent choice for creating an eye-catching display in your outdoor space.
Benefits of growing ilex x altaclerensis golden king
Growing the Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King offers a variety of potential benefits to a UK garden. This evergreen holly is an excellent choice for experienced gardeners looking to add a special touch to their outdoor space.
As with most hollies, it can be pruned to form a hedge or shaped into a formal topiary. It requires very little maintenance, so it provides an attractive addition that is easy to look after. The Golden King, as the name suggests, features attractive yellowish-green foliage throughout the growing season.
Its leaves take on an attractive golden hue in the autumn and winter, adding a pleasant splash of color in the months when other plants are dormant. Its eye-catching foliage is complemented nicely by its fragrant white flowers in the spring. For those looking for a specimen that will really stand out, the Golden King offers a bonus benefit: it is one of the few hollies that are self-fertile, meaning it can successfully produce berries even when planted alone.
The resulting berries are a beautiful shade of red, providing even more visual interest and making the Golden King an attractive choice for those looking to give their garden a touch of color and beauty. In summary, the Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is a great choice for those looking to add an attractive and distinctive evergreen to their UK garden.
With its eye-catching foliage and self-fertile traits, the Golden King can provide a splash of color and an eye-catching focal point to any garden. What’s more, it requires minimal maintenance and effort, so it’s an ideal specimen for those who want a beautiful, low-maintenance garden.
Tips for planting and caring for ilex x altaclerensis golden king
Having bright golden foliage year round, Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is a vibrant and hardy evergreen. Well-suited to Britain’s climate, Golden King can easily withstand both arctic temperatures in the depths of winter and unwelcome scorching summer heat.
Making it a popular choice for UK gardens, Golden King can stand up to both wind and rain, perfect for creating a lush evergreen hedge or shield against cold weather. When it comes to planting, Golden King thrives in both full sun and partial shade. A treasured member of the UK garden, those wanting to plant a Golden King hedge should prepare a rich humus soil with plenty of compost to ensure the plants have a healthy start to life.
Once planted, it is important to keep an eye on the soil and ensure it is drained properly. This is especially true if you live in an area that is particularly wet in winter or prone to heavy rainfall. As with any plants, regular watering is important in the warmer months, but avoid over-watering as Golden King doesn’t like wet feet.
Pruning should also take place a few times a year to promote dense growth. The reward for all your hard work is a strong and vibrant plant that requires little in the way of maintenance.
It can also survive a range of temperatures and is low maintenance once established. Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is a fantastic choice for adding colour and texture to your garden, whether it’s a hedge, border or topiary shape.
Common problems with ilex x altaclerensis golden king
When it comes to Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King, this evergreen shrub is one of the most beautiful shrubs that you can have in your garden with its graceful glossy-green foliage and bright yellow flowers. It’s not overly fussy and is suitable to growing in most garden settings, including border gardens, woodland gardens, formal gardens or mixed shrub beds.
However, there are some common problems associated with this shrub that should be noted before purchasing or planting it. Firstly, Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is prone to leaf scorch, where the tips of the leaves become a reddish-brown colour and the leaf margins curl. To prevent this, ensure that the shrub receives enough water, as this will help to reduce the evaporation of moisture from the leaves.
Keeping the soil moist and planting in a sheltered location will also help provide the shrub with the necessary humidity. Secondly, it’s important to be aware that Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King can be subject to infestations by scale insects, which are small sucking pests that pierce the plant’s leaves and feed on the sap.
This can cause the leaves to become misshapen and discoloured and it may also stunt the shrub’s growth. If scale insects are a problem, prune off any affected branches and use insecticidal soap or neem oil as a preventative measure. Finally, it’s also important to be aware that Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is semi-parasitic in its growth habit, which means that it needs to be planted close to trees or other plants so that it can extract nutrients from their root systems.
It’s important to leave sufficient space between the Ilex and other plants in order to give the tree or plant sufficient room to grow, as well as to prevent the Ilex from stealing too many nutrients. Overall, Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is a beautiful evergreen shrub with a graceful and attractive form, however there are some common problems associated with it that need to be kept in mind in order to keep it healthy.
Effective watering, checking for insect infestations, and keeping enough space between the Ilex and other plants should help to ensure this attractive shrub thrives in any garden setting.
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Bottom Line
The Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ is a hybrid holly tree that is known for its bright golden foliage. It is a low-maintenance evergreen tree that is ideal for small gardens and landscapes, and can reach up to 4m in height.
It is tolerant of a variety of conditions and can be easily pruned to maintain its shape. Its golden foliage is a great addition to any garden and adds a splash of colour throughout the year.
FAQ
What is the scientific name of Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King?
The scientific name of Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’.
What are the characteristics of Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King?
Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is an evergreen shrub with a dense, upright habit. It has glossy, dark green leaves with yellow margins and yellow-green flowers in spring. It can reach up to 3m in height and is tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. It is also drought tolerant and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
Where is Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King native to?
Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is native to the United Kingdom.
How does Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King grow?
Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King grows best in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that can reach up to 8 feet in height and width. It is also drought tolerant once established.
What type of soil is best for Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King?
Well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5 is best for Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King.
How often should Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King be watered?
Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King should be watered regularly, about once a week or when the soil feels dry.
