Touch of Gold Japanese Holly

Bright golden-yellow new growth on a compact mounding Japanese holly creates a warm glowing accent in borders and mixed hedges — a sunny twist on a classic evergreen favourite. (Ilex crenata Touch of Gold)

$52.96

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Ilex crenata Touch of Gold (‘Adorned’) is a vibrant, compact evergreen holly that adds year-round golden color to the landscape. Its bright yellow foliage forms a neat, low mound—perfect for borders, rock gardens, and foundation plantings. Heat and cold tolerant, deer resistant, and low maintenance, Touch of Gold brings lasting brilliance and easy-care elegance to any garden.

In stock (200)

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Growing Information

Growing zone guide

Growing Zone Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunlight Bright light to partial shade

Type of Soil Slightly acidic to neutral

Mature Height 12 to 18 inches

Maintenance Level Low maintenance

Water Requirement Moderate watering (once a week)

Learn more about this plant

Additional Information

Growth Rate	Slow to moderate, maintaining a neat, low, mounding shape. Mature size: approximately 12–18 inches tall and 2–3 feet wide.
Colorful Leaves	Yes
Flowering	Yes
Bloom Color	White
Ornamental Berries	N/A
Disease resistant	Yes
Cold Tolerant	Yes
Heat Tolerant	Yes
Drought Tolerant	No
Deer Resistant	Yes
Edible	No
Wildlife Attraction	Bees and pollinators visit the small spring blooms. Provides cover for small garden wildlife due to its dense, evergreen structure. Foliage is deer resistant and rarely browsed.
Self-pollinating	N/A
Seasonality	Evergreen year-round, providing constant color and form. Flowers in late spring; maintains vivid foliage through all seasons.
Ideal For	– Accent plant, colorful low hedge, foundation planting, rock garden, or border edging
Leaf Description	Evergreen, small, glossy leaves with a brilliant golden-yellow hue and lime-green undertones. Foliage maintains its color throughout all seasons, even in winter. Compact and finely textured, similar to boxwood but more colorful.
Flower Description	Tiny white flowers appear in late spring, nestled among foliage. Flowers are subtle but fragrant and attract pollinators.
Pruning & Maintenance	Naturally compact, so little pruning is needed. If shaping is desired, prune in late spring or early summer after new growth hardens. Remove dead or damaged branches as necessary. Avoid severe pruning into old wood, which may not regrow.
Water Needs	Requires consistent moisture during establishment (first growing season). Once established, moderately drought tolerant but performs best with regular deep watering during extended dry periods. Avoid soggy or compacted soils; ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot.
Light Needs	Prefers full sun to partial shade. Achieves the best bright golden foliage color in full sun, while partial shade helps prevent scorch in very hot climates.
Harvesting	No berries—male cultivar. Non-edible foliage; mildly toxic if ingested. Excellent for tidy, low-maintenance landscapes without fruit litter.
Fertilizing	Feed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants (e.g., 10-6-4). Alternatively, apply a topdressing of compost each spring to maintain fertility. Avoid overfertilizing; too much nitrogen can reduce foliage color intensity.
Additional Care Tips	N/A
Pollination	Male cultivar, does not produce berries. Can serve as a pollinator for female Ilex crenata plants nearby. Small flowers attract bees and beneficial insects in late spring.
Companion Plants	Evergreens: Boxwood (Buxus microphylla), Juniperus ‘Blue Star’, and dwarf conifers for texture contrast. Flowering shrubs: Azaleas, Camellias, and Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’ for seasonal blooms. Perennials: Hosta, Heuchera, or ornamental grasses for layered color and shape. Design tip: Combine with dark-leaved plants like Loropetalum or Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ to make its golden foliage pop.