Modern style and classic charm come together in this elegant, radiant holly.
Southern Living Plant Collection
Distinctive oak-shaped leaves and golden variegation set this handsome holly apart from all the others.
The dense evergreen foliage shines year-round, providing a bright accent or specimen for entryway gardens and patio planters.
Credit:Southern Living Plant Collection
When planted in rows, Golden Oakland Holly makes an impenetrable privacy screen.
Plant on corners to anchor foundation plantings or add to mixed borders for a pop of color and texture.
Golden Oakland Holly is easy to grow and endlessly charming.
In the upper South, site plants in locations where they will be sheltered from cold winter wind.
In areas with hot summer sun, plants benefit from a little afternoon shade.
Plants are not too particular about soil jot down as long as it is well draining.
Be sure to select a planting site that can accommodate the plants mature size.
Light
Golden Oakland Holly thrives in full sun to part shade.
In hot summer climates, plants perform best with morning sun and light afternoon shade.
Soil
They require medium to moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
Slightly acidic soils are ideal, though plants tolerant a range of soil pH.
Use mulch to maintain soil moisture.
In the northern areas of its range, protection from cold winter winds prevents winter burn.
Fertilizer
Hollies are moderate feeders and benefit from fertilizer applications in early spring before new growth emerges.
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer, broadcasting evenly throughout the entire root zone.
Some products, such as Holly-tone, are designed specifically for fertilizing hollies.
Apply all fertilizers according to the label rate.
Space plants according to their mature width of 12 to 15 feet.
Empty space can be filled with annuals or perennials until hollies grow into their home.
Water potted plants well before transplanting to prevent roots from drying out during the planting process.
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
This allows you to spread the root system.
Gently remove the holly from its pot and loosen the roots.
Set plants so the root collar sits 1-2 above the surrounding ground soil level.
The root collars is the flared area where the trunk meets the root system.
Fill the planting hole with the same soil you removed, pressing the soil down gently with your hands.
Water plants thoroughly to settle the soil, adding more soil as needed.
Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch, avoiding the area closest to trunk.
Pruning Golden Oakland Holly
Golden Oakland Holly holds its form with very little pruning.
If needed, plants can be shaped through light pruning in early spring.
With their large leaves, hollies look best when they are pruned rather than sheared.
Selectively trim back overly long branches, cutting them back to a healthy lateral branch or the main trunk.
Damaged or broken limbs can be removed any time of year.
Prepare plants for cold weather by keeping plants well-watered throughout fall and winter.
Water deeply about once a month to keep the soil moist, but not wet.
Stop watering if the ground freezes or snow falls.
Apply a layer of pine straw or leaves in late fall to moderate soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
Winter winds can be particularly hard on broadleaf evergreen plants, causing plants to lose moisture from the foliage.
This is best addressed by selecting a protected site at planting time.
Cover plants with burlap, blankets, or horticultural fleece if temperatures are predicted to fall below -10F.
Fill the top with dry leaves or pine straw.
Consider moving potted plants into an unheated greenhouse or garage when below-freezing conditions are expected.
Propagating Golden Oakland Holly
Golden Oakland Holly is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
Potting And Repotting Golden Oakland Holly
Young holly plants make lovely container plantings.
With its golden foliage and pyramidal form Golden Oakland Holly stands on its own in containers.
Use potted hollies as an accent in formal gardens or to bring a vertical element to patio containers.
Select a container with good drainage and use a frost-proof pot in areas where frost is expected in winter.
Use a well-draining, acidic potting mix such as a commercial mix labelled for rhododendrons and azaleas or camellias.
Container-grown hollies perform best with morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light all day.
Containers dry out faster than plants growing in the ground.
Be sure to water containers deeply when the upper two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
Fertilize potted hollies with a water-soluble fertilizer for acid-loving plants according to label directions from spring through mid-summer.
Occasional problems with common holly pests may occur.
Common insect pests of hollies include holly leaf miner, spider mites, and scale.
Scales look like small tan to grayish bumps.
They are immobile and protected for much of their lift cycle.
Small infestations can be scraped off by hand or removed through pruning at any time.
For heavier infestations, treat with horticultural oil in early spring before new growth begins.
Leaf miners tunnel inside leaves between the upper and lower surfaces.
Handpick and destroy infested leaves as soon as you notice this pest to avoid spread.
Several fungal diseases, including tar spot, leaf spot, and powdery mildew, can impact holly foliage.
Treatment is seldom needed, however, practicing good sanitation is recommended to reduce spores in the landscape.
Rake up fallen leaves and dispose of these in the trash or by burning them.
Premature leaf drop and leaf scorch are other signs of pH problems.
