{% assign use_variant_images = false %}
{% capture vertical_scroll %}{% endcapture %} {%- if use_variant_images and variant.images[0] -%} {%- assign images = variant.images -%} {%- else -%} {%- assign images = product.images -%} {%- endif -%}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%}
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{% if forloop.first or product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay'%}
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{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
All media depicts mature plants.

Strongbox® Inkberry Holly (Ilex)

SHRUB

Description

  • 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
  • Zones 5-9, sun, 3' tall x 3' wide at maturity.
Zone 5-9
Light part sun/sun
medium

{% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% if variant.price < variant.compare_at_price %} Sale {{- variant.price | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' -}}
{{- variant.compare_at_price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% else %} {{- variant.price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% endif %} Each
Total
{{ variant.price | times: variant.quantity | money | remove: ' ' }}
{% for option in product.options_with_values %} {% assign optionIndex = forloop.index0 %} {% assign position = forloop.index %}
{{option.name}}
{% assign sortedvalues = option.values %} {% if option.name contains 'Length' or option.name contains 'Width' or option.name contains 'Height' or option.name contains 'Depth' or option.name contains 'Thickness' or option.name contains 'Weight' %} {% assign sortedvalues = option.values | sort %} {% endif %} {% for value in sortedvalues %} {% assign inventory_quantity = 0 %} {% assign available = false %} {% assign optionVariant = false %} {% if product.options_with_values.size == 3 and optionIndex == 2%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == variant.option2 and v.option3 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% elsif product.options_with_values.size == 2 and optionIndex == 1%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% else %} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% endif %} {% assign checked = "" %} {% if variant.options[optionIndex] == value%}{% assign checked = "checked" %}{% endif %} {% endfor %}
{% endfor %}
More Info on Plant Sizes

{% capture add_to_cart %}Neptune.cart.add({ id:{{ variant.id | json }}, quantity:{{ variant.quantity }}, properties:{ '_growingzone':['5a', '5b', '6a', '6b', '7a', '7b', '8a', '8b', '9a', '9b'] } }, '.atcprod-{{ variant.id }}', { quantity: {{ variant.quantity }}, image: '//www.greatgardenplants.com/cdn/shop/products/Ilex-glabra-Strongbox-1-P.jpg?v=1608001783', title: 'Strongbox® Inkberry Holly (Ilex)', option: 'One Quart' }); return false;{% endcapture %} {% assign discontinued = '' %} {% for tag in product.tags %} {% if tag contains 'discontinued' %} {% assign discontinued = 'true' %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.available %} {% else %} {% unless discontinued == 'true' %} Notify Me When Available {% endunless %} {% endif %}
{% if error %}
{{error.description}}
{% endif %}
View Detailed Plant Information
↓

Plant Spacing

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:

bush distance

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:

bush distance zigzag
white plant in hand icon

Hand-picked at our greenhouse

white shipped to door icon

Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

background image

More Information

Description Strongbox® inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) is yet another innovative boxwood alternative from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. Like its sister plant Gem Box® inkberry holly, it’s a native evergreen with a neat, dense habit that looks like boxwood but is more durable and disease resistant. Strongbox® is more squat and “tuna can”-shaped than Gem Box, which is more of a globe. It needs no trimming to maintain this tidy shape and lends the perfect semi-formal accent to any kind of landscape. Especially nice in native plant and pollinator gardens! Plant inkberry holly as a low hedge, specimen, or use it as an edging. Though it is not quite as shade tolerant and deer resistant as boxwood, it’s more adaptable and of course, more disease resistant. History buffs, take note: this plants is called “inkberry holly” because Civil War soldiers used its berries to make a crude ink to write letters home. Note about berries: Strongbox inkberry holly is a female variety and can potentially develop berries. However, there are no compatible males currently on the market to ensure the cross pollination required for fruit to form. Details Botanical name: Ilex glabra 'ILEXFARROWTRACEY'
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 Soil: Moist but well-drained soils are best. Though inkberry holly can take some dryness, foliage will begin to brown if it dries out frequently or severely.
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.
 

Garden Care

Our Guide for Fall Planting

The start of fall may signal the gardening season is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! There is still plenty of time to enjoy colorful flowers and foliage or even sprinkle in some new perennials and shrubs before winter arrives.

Grow with confidence

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
71%
(5)
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14%
(1)
14%
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0%
(0)
M
M.L. (New Jersey)
Healthy with lots of new growth

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.

User picture User picture
n
n.f. (Michigan)
Very Small

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 claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process if necessary.

J
J.B. (Virginia)

Plant was in good shape when arrived. But extremely small for the price! Lowes had them for the same price and where way bigger..

J
J.W.P. (New York)
Excellent value for the price

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.

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K
K.S. (Texas)
Inkberry Holly

I love the look of these little holly's. Mine are still very small, but like them so far.

12