Holly 'Longwood Gold'

'Longwood Gold' has been a steady but slow grower in McLean, Virginia. It is producing bright "gold" berries and has a nice form. It is ...Read Moregrowing well with considerable shade and is making a good contribution to my "Berry Garden."

The "Longwood Gold" holly is an attractive yellow-berried holly, suitable for the mid-Altantic and southeastern states (at least), which ...Read Morewas first named at Longwood Gardens in southeastern Pennsylvania. It is an Ilex x attenuata variety, originating from the same Ilex opaca (American Holly) and Ilex cassine (Dahoon Holly) cross as the "Fosters", "Savannah", and "East Palatka" hollies.

It is rated as hardy as the "Fosters Holly" (which is rated Zone 6b). I have never seen any winter damage on mine in northern Delaware (Zone 7a). It appears to be similar in shape and growth chatacteristics as the "Fosters" but possibly a little less vigorous and perhaps likely to stay smaller. This is just a guess based on some specimens I've seen at Longwood Gardens - but these are undoubtedly pruned and shaped so it might end up as large as a "Fosters" in the end.

"Longwood Gold" is not very well known. Because of it's Longwood Gardens connection, a few Philadephia area nurseries carry it - and I've seen it for sale at Longwood Gardens - but I don't know if it is commonly sold outside the mid-Atlantic area. Being an Ilex x attenuata holly, it should do well from New York (or maybe Boston) through the southeast to Florida and over to Texas. The foliage is dark and makes a great contrast to the yellow berries - I highly recommend it !!