{"product_id":"ilex-meserveae-golden-king-1-2-standard-7-5-litre-pot","title":"Ilex Meserveae Golden King 1\/2 Standard 7.5 Litre Pot","description":"\u003ch3\u003eIlex × meserveae 'Golden King'\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBold, bright, and full of year-round personality, \u003cstrong\u003eIlex × meserveae 'Golden King'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a striking evergreen holly that earns its place in the garden through every season. Despite the regal name, 'Golden King' is actually a \u003cstrong\u003efemale variety\u003c\/strong\u003e, bearing glossy, broadly oval leaves edged in a generous band of \u003cstrong\u003ebright golden-yellow\u003c\/strong\u003e — a warm, luminous combination that lifts borders and brightens even the dullest winter day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a member of the Meserve hybrid group — commonly known as \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Holly\u003c\/strong\u003e — 'Golden King' inherits the characteristic \u003cstrong\u003edense, upright, bushy habit\u003c\/strong\u003e and impressive cold-hardiness of its parentage. In spring, small white flowers appear among the foliage, attracting early pollinators, and where a compatible male holly is planted nearby, clusters of \u003cstrong\u003evivid red berries\u003c\/strong\u003e follow in autumn and persist well into winter. These jewel-bright fruits set brilliantly against the variegated foliage, providing both ornamental impact and valuable food for birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHandsome, versatile, and thoroughly reliable, 'Golden King' works beautifully as a specimen shrub, a structural anchor in a mixed border, or as part of a formal or informal hedge. Its variegated foliage brings particular value to winter planting schemes, where the golden margins shimmer against darker evergreens and bare stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eIlex × meserveae\u003c\/em\u003e 'Golden King' thrives in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun to partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e. A sunny or lightly dappled position will give the best berry production and the most vivid golden leaf margins. It tolerates more shade than many variegated shrubs, though heavy shade may reduce the intensity of the colouring and limit fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best suited to \u003cstrong\u003emoist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil\u003c\/strong\u003e. It will adapt to most fertile garden soils provided they are not waterlogged. On heavier clay, incorporate organic matter at planting to improve drainage and encourage establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAspect:\u003c\/strong\u003e A robust and wind-tolerant plant, 'Golden King' is well suited to \u003cstrong\u003eexposed sites and urban gardens\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is fully hardy and dependable through cold winters, making it an excellent choice where less resilient shrubs might struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a female variety, 'Golden King' requires a \u003cstrong\u003ecompatible male holly\u003c\/strong\u003e — such as \u003cem\u003eIlex × meserveae\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Prince' or a similar male clone — planted in reasonable proximity to set berries reliably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly during the first growing season to help the root system establish. Once settled in, 'Golden King' is reasonably drought-tolerant, though it benefits from consistent moisture during prolonged dry spells, particularly in free-draining soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Little pruning is needed to maintain a naturally attractive shape. If shaping is required — for hedging or to control size — prune in \u003cstrong\u003elate winter or early spring\u003c\/strong\u003e before new growth begins, or lightly in \u003cstrong\u003emidsummer\u003c\/strong\u003e after the main flush. Avoid hard pruning in autumn, which can remove developing berries. Always use gloves when handling, as the leaf margins, though softer than some hollies, can still catch the skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e An application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring will support healthy growth and foliage colour. A mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base each year helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain the slightly acidic soil conditions this holly prefers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife value:\u003c\/strong\u003e The berries of 'Golden King' are an important food source for thrushes, blackbirds, and other garden birds through the winter months, making this an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57365221605702,"sku":"173856","price":108.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/Ilex-Meserveae-Golden-King-1-2-Standard-7-5-Litre-Pot_173856_2026-09-14.jpg?v=1789370602","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/ilex-meserveae-golden-king-1-2-standard-7-5-litre-pot","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}