Holly of the Year 2014

Golden Girl® is a yellow-fruited hybrid holly, with glossy, dark olive-green leaves. It is a controlled cross between the yellow-fruited English holly, Ilex aquifolium ‘Fructa Lutea’ and Ilex rugosa, developed by Kathleen Meserve and introduced in 1989 by the Conard-Pyle Company.

It grows slowly into a large bush, with a compact upright spreading habit, ultimately up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and is hardy in Zones 5 to 9. A female holly, it blooms on the previous season’s wood and requires a nearby male such as ‘Blue Prince’, ‘Blue Stallion’, or ‘Blue Boy’ to ensure adequate pollination and fruit set. Plant this holly in full sun to part shade, in moist but well-drained soil, and fertilize in late winter/early spring with general purpose garden fertilizer for best performance.

The plant requires little maintenance, but any pruning as needed to maintain shape can be performed in late winter. Propagation is by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings, July through December. The plant was the subject of USPP 7652 (now expired).

Ilex x meserveae ‘Mesgolg’ Golden Girl®

Photo by: John Swintosky