Introducing a new take on an old classic. The Golden Oakland Holly Tree is a fantastic upright holly from the Southern Living Plant Collection. It is a variegated cousin of the Oakland Holly, giving you the same dense growing habit with the added dimension of variegated green and golden-yellow foliage.
This dense-growing holly maintains a pyramidal habit and is naturally compact, so it needs little maintenance pruning. It’s height and density make it a perfect screen plant when planted in rows, and it’s color adds more character to your landscape than traditional evergreen screens like arborvitae or cypress.
Once achieving the appropriate height, this plant is ideal as a nearly impenetrable privacy screen. Just try and make it through this heavy-duty beauty!
We love seeing this holly planted on the corner of houses as a foundation plant to bookend your landscape. It provides a large accent that pairs well with medium height green shrubs like Emerald Snow Loropetalum or it can accent bold pops of color from blooming shrubs like Encore Azaleas.
When Golden Oakland is still young, you can plant it in containers for a bright, evergreen accent that holds its shape. You can fill in around it with annuals or perennials to provide a spark of color and truly eye-catching container planting. This holly is also bright enough to stand on its own in a container.
Another added benefit of this dense growing evergreen holly is that it makes a wonderful habit for birds and other wildlife as it gets older. Because you don’t need to prune it and its leaves are so dense, it becomes a reliable shelter for the birds you love to see!
Grows best in Full Sun to Partial Shade. Furthermore, provide at least 4-5 hours of sun daily to ensure that its foliage is dense and attractive.
Plant in slightly acidic soil for best results. If your soil is too alkaline, mix in some elemental sulfur to lower its pH.
Water 2-3 times per week during the first growing season. During its second season, water 1-2 times per week depending on the weather. Afterward, it only needs supplementary water during times of extreme heat and drought.
Fertilize your tree with Holly-tone or another acidic plant fertilizer 2-3 times during the growing season, starting in early spring.
For a seamless planting, plant your Golden Oakland Holly 6 feet apart. Space them 9+ feet apart for gaps between the plants.
The variegated foliage of the Golden Oakland makes a stunning background for many different plants. They look fantastic with some reblooming roses such as Red Double Knock Out Rose, or reblooming azaleas such as the Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea. It also pairs well with Boxwoods, Orange Rocket Barberry, and most Gardenias.
Judith (verified owner) –
Nice condition and si
Bryan (verified owner) –
I ordered a 3 gallon holly. It arrived healthy and in a timely manner. It looks great.
triciartrcv (verified owner) –
My golden oak leaf holly arrived in excellent condition, very well packaged, and in a timely manner. Once it arrived I watered it well and planted the holly. It looks great and I am very pleased with my purchase.
Tyler (verified owner) –
Golden Oakland Holly it’s so beautiful and healthy plant! Thanks so much!
Lorraine (verified owner) –
Beautiful, healthy tree. We were not able to find this tree in any local nurseries. We wished we could find a larger tree but are extremely happy with this tree. Packaging was amazing!
Dan (verified owner) –
Very nice holly ! Fast shipping. Will order from Plants by Mail again. Thanks.
Scott (verified owner) –
Excellent looking holly! Superb packaging. Will buy by again from Plants by mail.
Kay (verified owner) –
Healthy,gorgeous,plant. Excellent service and wonderful packing. Highly recommend! Will use again in future.
candylloyd1610 (verified owner) –
Nice looking Holly and is growing well.
Christi Pearson (verified owner) –
Very pleased with my purchase! I wasn’t able to find this variety locally so I ordered it here. I was a little hesitant because I’ve never ordered live plants online before. To my surprise, it was easy, they arrived in a special plant shipping box that allowed air in. They we’re in great shape and perfect size, as described. I live in zone 8 in Coastal South and I’ve had them planted for a few weeks now and they’re doing great!
Jerry (verified owner) –
The plant that I ordered came very healthy and beautiful. Will order again.
Maria (verified owner) –
I very much love the plant I received because it was well-grown and packaged carefully. The price I paid was surprisingly low for it’s quality and beauty it shows in my garden.
Jim (verified owner) –
I was very pleased with the size and quality of the plant I received, especially given it has been difficult to find in retail nurseries. The plant was well-grown and appropriately sized for its container (not rootbound) and carefully packaged, so I received it without damage. Customers in more northern locations should be aware these plants have been grown in the Deep South, and are likely to have flushed out a lot of tender growth in the late winter/early spring, so some care needs to be taken in early planting.