Southern Living? Touch of Gold? Holly Shrub

Southern Living® Touch of Gold® Holly Shrub

Brighten your landscape with this stunning evergreen holly featuring luminous golden-edged foliage that stands out beautifully against traditional green plantings. This compact, naturally rounded shrub delivers year-round visual interest with minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking reliable, low-maintenance solutions. When you buy Southern Living® Touch of Gold® Holly online, you're selecting a plant bred specifically for real-world performance in challenging climates.

Landscaping Uses

This holly works wonderfully in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and rock gardens where its distinctive foliage creates striking contrast. Its tidy, naturally structured form complements both formal and casual landscape designs without requiring constant shaping. Pair it with darker-leafed shrubs to showcase its golden variegation, or use it as a specimen accent where it can be admired from multiple angles.

Specifications

Height: 3–4 feet at maturity
Width: 3–4 feet at maturity
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-draining
USDA Zones: 5–9

Why Homeowners Love It

• Golden variegated leaves provide year-round color and brightness
• Naturally rounded form requires no pruning to maintain its attractive shape
• Evergreen foliage delivers constant visual appeal through every season
• Drought-tolerant and heat-resistant, thriving in challenging Southern conditions

Planting & Care

Plant your holly within four weeks of arrival in a location receiving full sun to partial shade and offering well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equally deep, then backfill with amended soil, keeping the top of the root ball level with surrounding ground. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then reduce frequency as the plant matures. In early spring, feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for hollies, or work fresh compost into the soil around the base.