Strongbox® Inkberry Holly (Ilex)
Shrub
- Native evergreen looks like boxwood.
- No pruning needed! Naturally grows with a neat, rounded shape.
- Makes a shapely specimen or nice low hedge.
- Boxwood alternative from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs.
- Female holly will develop berries when paired with male Squeeze Box.
- Zones 5-9, sun, 3' tall x 3' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP#30,147
Common name: Inkberry holly
Zone: 5-9
Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 2-3' tall and wide
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Year-round
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Evergreens, native, deer resistant, Proven Winners, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Hedge, low hedge, specimen, containers, formal gardens, native plant gardens
How to Grow
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day) to part sun (4-6 hrs/day).
Water: Average to abundant (as long as soil is well-drained).
Space: 2-3' apart, depending on landscape role.
Fertilizing: If desired, fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer. A second application may be made in late spring/early summer as well.
Winterizing: 2-3" of shredded bark mulch is important to protect the shallow roots and minimize water loss. Do not allow plants to enter winter "thirsty"; dry soil during cold, windy weather is the main cause of leaf browning or even the plant dying.
Maintenance: Trim as needed to maintain shape and size desired. Save major pruning for mid-late spring, after new growth has emerged but before it becomes hard and woody.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
I just started ordering from GGP last year and have been so pleased with all of my orders. The plants arrive fast, very healthy, and free of shipping damage thanks to excellent packaging. It has also been economical - some of my garden projects require large quantities of a specific plant and GGP's pricing allows me to do this without breaking the bank. I am in search of a replacement for a 30' Boxwood hedge. I received about 10 of these inkberry hollys and they look fantastic. Small, but lots of new growth and very healthy. If these thrive, I will order 20 more (anything to escape nursing the fragile little boxwoods). Thanks GGP.
In April I ordered a large number of ilex glabra Strongbox for a beautification project in a public NYC park. It is now mid-July and all of the shrubs look great and have shown new growth. I chose GGP because of the selection, ratings, and competitive pricing and I will most definitely order with them again.
Ordered the gallon size. Great size and condition with new growth started already. It's potted up in a nice container and has started blooming beautiful tiny flowers all over. Do not hesitate to order this plant or any plant from this wonderful company. Great packaging and tremendous customer service.
Strongbox® Inkberry Holly (Ilex)
Heathy plants but quite small.
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary.
Plant was in good shape when arrived. But extremely small for the price! Lowes had them for the same price and where way bigger..
I love the look of these little holly's. Mine are still very small, but like them so far.
They came in great condition and are doing great
Thanks for taking the time to leave your review! We're thrilled to hear your new plants arrived safely, that's our goal. Please let us know if you ever have any questions, we're here to help. Happy Gardening!
How can this nativar(?) be a pollinator if it doesn't produce fruit?
Hi there! Even though Strongbox® Inkberry Holly doesn't produce fruit, it does still flower in spring so it attract pollinators.
Do you have larger size of Strongbox Inkberry Holly than one quart?
Hi there! Strongbox® Inkberry Holly is available in a one quart pot only.
I this salt spray resistant? Interested in planting about 6 ft from a road that is fairly well traveled.
It's hard to say for certain because there are several factors involved including how heavily salted the roads are and the amount of traffic on the road. Generally speaking though, Inkberry Holly can tolerate some salt spray and should be ok in that location.
What is best spacing for strongbox hedge?
We recommend spacing them 2 to 3 feet apart.
When should inkberry holly be planted?
Both Spring and Fall are great times to plant! In Fall, you will want to make sure to plant at least 6-8 weeks before frost in your area. In Spring, you can plant after the threat of frost has passed, but preferably before it reaches about 85 degrees or higher consecutively.