As with any holly, full sun and well drained soil is a good idea. A popular selection of our native inkberry holly noted for its attractive dark green foliage (hence the name 'Nigra') and compact habit. Planting Inkberry. To our knowledge, inkberry is one of the few stoloniferous evergreen holly species (I. coria-cea is another), and colonies a century or more old have been described (Hume, 1953). It is wet site tolerant and great for evergreen hedges. As the plant grows, the bottom branches tend to lose their leaves, giving the bottom of the plant a bare look. Foliage develops attractive red tips during the spring flush. The dense twiggy habit displays an abundance of black berries through winter, accenting the evergreen foliage. Available in better garden centers in spring 2019. But if you live in the East or the Pacific Northwest, inkberry will likely thrive in your yard. It has shallow roots, so a 2-3" layer of mulch is a good idea. An excellent hedge or border plant that tolerates a variety of conditions, even warm humidity. In fact, it can take over an area rapidly if it's not checked. Inkberry’s natural shape just looks better than anything you may force it to be. Its smaller size also makes it easy to grow in large containers. It flowers in spring and has great dark berries in the winter. The native species grows 5 to 8 feet in height and spread, although several cultivars have a more compact, smaller form. Ilex glabra (inkberry) is a slow-growing, upright-rounded evergreen shrub in the holly family. Plant Strongbox® inkberry holly instead. This bush was bigger than I thought it would be and looked great. Top reasons to grow Strongbox® inkberry holly: Plant Strongbox inkberry holly anywhere you'd use boxwood - as a hedge, edging, or specimen. It is a female form with black fruit and becomes an oval-rounded plant 6' tall and wide (though larger plants are known). Includes 1 holly inkberry nigra in a 2.25 Gal. This alternate name derives from the fact that black ink was once made from the galls of oaks. 24 - 36" Details. Mature Size. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9. I also like to use it for massing, especially creating large … Leaf spot is an occasional problem. Buy Ilex Glabra Densa Inkberry Holly Shrubs Online. 'Compacta' - A common, popular clone that has denser branching and foliage than the species. Inkberry Holly is grown as a landscape plant for its glossy dark green foliage. It is smaller in size, with a compact, rounded overall form. If you are looking to have a more native landscape but also want your landscape to look good year round and look a little more traditional then inkberry is a great solution. In native locations, it prefers sandy, acidic woodland soils and is often found along the edges of swamps and bogs. As versatile and good-looking as boxwood with no disease issues! Female plants need a male pollinator if you want them to produce the berry-like fruits. Can be used as a foundation planting, hedge or in mass. Plant Strongbox ® inkberry holly instead. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. The whole process went smoothly. It is native to the southeastern U. S. It typically grows 6-8' tall but can spread by root suckers to form colonies. Insignificant greenish-white flowers appear in May and June, giving way to pea-sized black fruits that mature by early fall. It can be pruned or shaped as you desire, or left to attain its neat natural shape. Inkberry is best planted in average, medium to wet soils and in full sun to part shade. Many people are surprised to learn that this plant is a holly tree, because its leaves do not have the spines we expect to find on holly, and its berries are black, not red. Inkberry holly thrives in a wet, cool climate. While leaf spot diseases can arise, they are not likely to kill the plant, however, like us, they are more likely to get sick/diseased when under stress. Ilex glabra, is a great foundation shrub. The taxonomical name, Ilex gabra, features the genus name Ilex, meaning "oak." Holly - Inkberry 'Shamrock' Inkberry is a compact upright form of Ilex glabra with small glossy leaves. NJPlantsandtrees Holly Inkberry (Please Select Size Below) - Ilex glabra, also known as Appalachian Tea, Dye-leaves, Evergreen Winterberry, Gallberry, Inkberry, is a species of holly native to the Eastern and the South Central United States and southern Canada (Nova Scotia). Foliage may turn purplish in winter. Resistant to disease, pests, and winter burn. Holly Inkberry Nigra Shrub ‘Nigra' grows as a compact, rounded shrub ‘Nigra' grows as a compact, rounded shrub and thrives in moist locations. If your soil is alkaline, consider enriching it with peat moss when planting your inkberry. Gem Box® inkberry holly ( Ilex glabra ) is a ground-breaking alternative to boxwood. 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