Drops Of Gold Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata 'Drops of Gold'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Drops Of Gold Japanese Holly - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
Click Here to learn more

Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Drops Of Gold Japanese Holly highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
-
Brand
-
Botanical Name
-
Growing Zones
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateMedium
-
Pollinator Friendly
-
Pollinator Required
-
Fragrant
-
Pruning Time
-
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
-
Photos Provided BySpring Meadows - www.springmeadows.com

Growing Zones 6-8
Golden droplets shine brilliantly in your garden all year! Drops Of Gold Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata 'Drops of Gold') is the sort of finishing touch any garden needs! Small, glossy, rounded leaves, are uniquely variegated with the outermost leaves exhibiting the brightest, golden yellow color! Older, more interior foliage is glossy and rich green for a two-tone effect.
In spring, you will see insignificant white flowers that are not the showiest, but the bees and butterflies will seek them out. Then the female plants produce petite, black fruit in the fall if a male Ilex crenata shrub is nearby. The tiny fruit is appreciated by local songbirds, but the plant is grown more for the brilliantly colorful foliage. With or without fruit, an outstanding landscape plant. The yellow foliage stands out among the other greenery and contrasts against the darker reddish-brown stems.
Compact and slowly spreading, Drops of Gold enhance your landscape with a gilded presence! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 8, these bright broadleaf evergreens grow to a neat and tidy 3-4 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width to create wonderful privacy in your landscape!
Planting and Application:
Japanese Holly is well-known for its low-maintenance nature. These evergreen shrubs are suitable for hedging, foundation plants or foliage accents for that very reason, looking crisp and clean year-round! Imagine the curb appeal your home will gain with gleaming golden brilliance with these plants as your front planting, as a hedge separating the front yard from the sidewalk, or as a golden border along your driveway.
Drops of Gold offer a striking contrast among low borders and these gleaming landscape stars look amazing everywhere! Asian and Zen-inspired gardens, Wildlife and Urban Gardens alike welcome Drops of Gold! Brilliant as backdrops to make the rest of your garden beds and borders just pop! Imagine in the winter as the snow flies, when these shrubs remain golden green and shine through the winter! Snip a few stems for your winter décor and floral design greenery!
Large planters and containers, or your favorite urn become beacons with the addition of this fantastic specimen and accent plant! Urban tolerant, these shrubs do well in a wide range of conditions and climates, so you know they will do amazing in your garden.
- Uniquely Variegated Ornamental Broadleaf Evergreen
- Tiny Gleaming Golden-Yellow Foliage
- Inconspicuous White Flowers in Spring
- Compact Spreading Growth
- Tiny Black Berries If A Male Is Nearby
- Urban Tolerant, Wonderful Hedge or Foundation Plant
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Drops Of Gold Japanese Holly does amazing in both full sun and part shade, Both hardy and urban tolerant, these shrubs appreciate afternoon shade in the hotter summer climates! Plants in containers need enriched, well-drained soil and regular moisture. In-ground shrubs are not particular on soil type, and Japanese Holly prefers well-drained, moist soils. Drops of Gold does best when consistently watered but not soggy. A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. Light pruning is suggested in early spring to head back any branches that may need shortening up or to maintain size.
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Enriched Well-Drained Slightly Acidic, Mulched Soil
- Moderate Moisture Needs
- Resistant to Pests & Diseases
- Prune to Any Size or Shape in Early Spring
- Low Maintenance & Easy-Care
These are hardy and adaptable evergreens that become resplendent landscape highlights in a wide range of conditions. Order your own Drops of Gold Japanese Holly for that sparkling golden color your garden deserves! Call Nature Hills Nursery today!