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ILEX aquifolium 'Aurea Marginata'

Image of Ilex aquifolium 'Aurea Marginata'

Jesse Saylor

Family

Aquifoliaceae

Botanical Name

ILEX aquifolium 'Aurea Marginata'

Plant Common Name

English Holly, Golden Variegated English Holly

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Yellow-edged dark green leaves set 'Aurea Marginata' apart from other English hollies. The evergreen foliage and showy fruits give this holly year-round interest. Eventually forming a large pyramidal shrub, golden variegated English holly is a cultivar of the classic species that you see decorating English winter landscapes and festive holiday displays. English holly also occurs over much of southern and western Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa.

Dramatically edged with light yellow variegation, the oval, leathery, glossy dark green leaves have prominent spines along their margins. Small white female flowers cluster in the leaf axils in spring. If a male plant is nearby, numerous large berries follow the flowers on the female plant, flushing bright red by early fall. The fruits persist into winter, if spared by the birds. The leaf edges of 'Aurea Marginata' are more yellow compared to the creamy variegation seen on selection 'Argentea-Marginata'.

Grow the golden variegated English holly in full or partial sun in a well-drained, fertile, acidic to mildly alkaline soil. Mature specimens will tolerate drought and summer heat. This holly works well along large foundations and makes a superb specimen plant. Its pretty boughs can be cut and enjoyed indoors for holiday decorating.

English holly self-sows in favorable climates, and is considered a weed in parts of Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 7

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    30'-50' / 9.1m - 15.2m

  • Width

    18'-30' / 5.5m - 9.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Pyramidal

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Yellow

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Light Yellow

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Light Yellow

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Light Yellow

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes