Ilex aquifolium 'Flavescens' (f)

RHS Plant Profile

moonlight holly

Other common names

moonlight holly

Synonyms

Ilex aquifolium 'Clouded Gold', Ilex aquifolium 'Moonlight', Ilex aquifolium moonlight holly

Shrubs Trees

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A striking, medium-sized, dense evergreen shrub to around 4.5m in height, with a conical, branching habit and dark green, glossy leaves flushed with golden-bronze. In winter, the leaves may become more purplish in colour but revert back to their original shade in warmer seasons. White flowers appear in spring. Great as a specimen shrub in a container or grown in large numbers to provide a hedge or screen. This variety requires a male pollinator nearby in order to produce its bright red berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Aquifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Ilex can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees with often spiny leaves, small white flowers (male and female usually on separate plants) and, on female plants, showy berries in autumn
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

May be susceptible to holly leaf blight, Phytophthora root rot and sometimes honey fungus

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn or propagate by hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn or propagate by hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, Holly leaf miner and young shoots may be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Pruning group 1; trim hedges in early spring