ILEX CRENATA GOLDEN GEM

Description and Characteristics

Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem' is a compact, mounding evergreen shrub known for its bright golden-yellow foliage, soft texture, and excellent year-round colour. A cultivar of Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), this variety adds brightness to borders and contrast in mixed plantings while offering the neat habit and resilience typical of the species.

Its small, oval leaves emerge vivid lime to golden yellow, fading slightly to a more muted gold-green in winter but retaining good colour. Unlike many hollies, it is non-spiny and has a very soft texture, making it a friendly choice for paths and low hedging. While it may produce tiny white flowers in spring and black berries in autumn (on female plants), its primary appeal lies in the ornamental foliage and tidy shape.

'Golden Gem' is a naturally low, spreading shrub, typically reaching about 50–60 cm in height and up to 1 m in spread, making it ideal for ground cover, low edging, and container use. It’s especially valued in formal layouts, acidic borders, and Japanese or modern gardens where colour contrast is desired.

• Low, compact shrub with bright golden-yellow evergreen foliage

• Grows to approx. 50–60 cm high, spreading up to 1 m wide

• Naturally rounded, neat habit requiring little pruning

• Non-spiny, soft-textured leaves – excellent for paths and edges

• Ideal for colour contrast, structure, and acid-loving plant combinations

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem' is easy to care for, long-lived, and adaptable to a wide range of conditions—provided the soil is acidic to neutral and well-drained.

• Light Requirements:

  • Thrives in full sun to partial shade

  • Best golden colour is achieved in full sun

  • Tolerates light shade but foliage may be less vibrant

• Soil Preferences:

  • Prefers moist but well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil

  • Does not perform well in alkaline or chalky soils—yellowing (chlorosis) may occur

  • In containers, use peat-free ericaceous compost

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly while establishing

  • Once established, moderately drought-tolerant

  • In pots, water more frequently during dry periods

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with an ericaceous fertiliser to support colour and vigour

  • Apply a light mulch of compost or bark in spring to help retain moisture

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Minimal pruning required—lightly trim in late spring or early summer to shape

  • Clip back wayward growth to keep neat, rounded form

  • Responds well to low hedging or informal borders

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in Zones 6–9 (RHS H5)

  • Evergreen in most UK and Irish conditions

  • Foliage may take on a green-gold hue in winter, returning to vivid gold in spring

Garden Uses, Companion Plants, and Design Benefits

Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem' is an eye-catching foliage plant that brings brightness, structure, and colour contrast to any planting scheme. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset in both traditional and contemporary gardens.

• Design Applications:

  • Ideal for low hedging, ground cover, rock gardens, and formal layouts

  • Works beautifully in Japanese gardens, acidic shrub borders, or modern planting designs

  • Excellent for highlighting dark-leaved or blue-toned plants

• Companion Plants:

  • Combines well with Camellia, Azalea, Pieris, Rhododendron, and Heuchera

  • Contrasts nicely with purple or dark green foliage (e.g. Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’)

  • Complements silver or grey plants like Artemisia, Santolina, or Festuca glauca

• Container Use:

  • Excellent for pots, troughs, and terrace planters

  • Use ericaceous compost with added grit for drainage

  • Water regularly and trim to maintain shape

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free

  • Resistant to box blight and box tree moth—a safer alternative to Buxus

  • May experience chlorosis in alkaline soil—treat with chelated iron if needed

• Size
  2 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.