Yeah -a native plant! I planted this inkberry holly in a large pot beside my driveway. I was happy to find an evergreen native shrub that could take a bit of shade where it's planted. I've grown inkberry previously in a different state. Pruning actually encourages new growth so if you have some bare areas down low, just do some pruning. My bush looks more upright than rounded, but I like the more natural form. After it gets established, I'll prune some. My experience is that this shrub thrives in moist but well drained soil. I personally wouldn't attempt to grow in a dry location.
Strongbox® Inkberry holly Ilex glabra
Exposure
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
Flower Season
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Mature Size
Height: 2' - 3'
Spread: 2' - 3'
Height: 61cm - 91cm
Spread: 61cm - 91cm
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Details
24 - 36 Inches24 - 36 Inches24 - 36 Inches61cm - 91cm61cm - 91cm61cm - 91cmFeatures
Native alternative to boxwood.
Love boxwood but struggle with disease or winter damage? Plant Strongbox® inkberry holly instead. This native evergreen naturally grows as a broadly rounded mound, and keeps its leaves all the way to the ground for the lush, dense look you love. It can be pruned or shaped as you desire, or left to attain its neat natural shape. It's also much faster growing than boxwood, and offers good deer resistance, too. Available in better garden centers in spring 2019.
Top reasons to grow Strongbox® inkberry holly:
- Native to North America.
- Naturally mounded shape and evergreen.
- Resistant to disease, pests, and winter burn.
Foliage InterestWinter InterestNative to North AmericaCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:EvergreenHeight Category:ShortGarden Height:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmSpacing:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmSpread:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmFlower Colors:WhiteFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:GreenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:FillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:Old WoodBloom Time:SpringHardiness Zones:5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:Edging PlantUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Plant Strongbox inkberry holly anywhere you'd use boxwood - as a hedge, edging, or specimen. Strongbox inkberry holly is a bit broader and less rounded than our other inkberry holly, Gem Box®.
Maintenance Notes:Little care is needed to enjoy Strongbox inkberry holly in your landscape. It has shallow roots, so a 2-3" layer of mulch is a good idea. If you wish to trim or prune it, do so in mid-late spring, after the new growth has emerged.
Strongbox is a female variety and will develop black berries if a compatible male pollinator is planted in the vicinity.
Fun Facts:The berries of inkberry holly were used by Civil War soldiers to make ink for their personal correspondance. To get berries on Strongbox inkberry holly, plant a male Squeeze Box holly within 50'/15m.
Strongbox® Ilex glabra 'ILEXFARROWTRACEY' USPP 30,147, Can 6,516 -
12 Reviews
514232217Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Martha Stafford, North Carolina, United States, 21 weeks ago
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I bought 6 of these last year to make a casual hedge along an open aluminum fence. Now all of them are bare halfway down the plant. They are planted per tag instruction and were very full when I bought them (though I hesitated due to other reviews listed here) and I have to say I'm very disappointed. From the research done online regarding inkberry hollies, some say to prune them along the top so that they fill in across the bottom. However if I prune them across the top I will lose the only part that actually has leaves. Now I'm trying to decide if I should leave them for another year in hopes they will bounce back, or toss them (and my money) out to the curb.
Stefanie Despagni, North Carolina, United States, 1 year ago -
I bought 6 of these last year to make a casual hedge along an open aluminum fence. Now all of them are bare halfway down the plant. They are planted per tag instruction and were very full when I bought them (though I hesitated due to other reviews listed here) and I have to say I'm very disappointed. From the research done online regarding inkberry hollies, some say to prune them along the top so that they fill in across the bottom. However if I prune them across the top I will lose the only part that actually has leaves. Now I'm trying to decide if I should leave them for another year in hopes they will bounce back, or toss them (and my money) out to the curb.
Stefanie Despagni, North Carolina, United States, 1 year ago -
I bought 10 of these shrubs, one died the first year and the rest are growing well. No complaints but I have noticed the inkberry is a slow grower so if you want an instant garden I suggest buying the 3 gallon.
Andrew, Massachusetts, United States, 3 years ago -
I was able to pick up several of these inkberry plants from my local nursery to use as a hedge up against my porch - They like sun & I have found them to be easy to care for - drought tolerant. Last year I saw some Whitefly on the woody stems & was able to eradicate them by spraying with 'Sevin' - I shape & cut them back quite a bit each Spring as they fill in very quickly & provide a really good looking hedge - I love the year around Greenery - All in all I am very happy with my purchase & I am looking to do another border hedge in my yard with these shrubs planted up against 'open' aluminum fence panels.
Karen Basso, New Jersey, United States, 3 years ago
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