Inkberry Holly

Inkberry Holly - Native Evergreen Landscape Shrub | 5-8 Feet Tall, Individual Plants

Add dependable evergreen beauty and native plant durability to your landscape with the Inkberry Holly. This versatile shrub is prized for its glossy dark green foliage, naturally upright growth, and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. As a native North American holly, Inkberry provides year-round structure while supporting wildlife and pollinators in the garden.

Its smooth-edged evergreen leaves create a dense, attractive shrub that works well in both naturalized and formal landscape settings. In spring, small white flowers appear along the stems and are followed by small black berries on female plants, which provide food for birds and wildlife. With its adaptability to wet soils and coastal conditions, Inkberry Holly is a dependable low-maintenance evergreen shrub for many landscapes.

Why You'll Love the Inkberry Holly

Native Evergreen Beauty: Glossy dark green foliage provides year-round color while supporting native wildlife.

Adaptable Landscape Shrub: Thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, including areas with occasional moisture.

Versatile Mature Size: Growing 5 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide at maturity, making it ideal for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings.

Low Maintenance And Durable: Highly adaptable to coastal conditions, humidity, and various soil types once established.

Inkberry Holly Details

Botanical Name: Ilex glabra
Type: Evergreen shrub
Mature Size: 60-96" tall × 60-96" wide (upright rounded habit)
Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained to moderately moist soil adaptable to many soil types
Water: Water regularly until established, tolerates occasional wet conditions
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Performs best in moist, well-drained soil but tolerates sandy, acidic, and occasionally wet soils better than many other evergreen shrubs.

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun for the densest growth but tolerates partial shade.

Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for a wide range of temperate climates.

Care Instructions

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, this shrub tolerates both moderate drought and occasional wet soil conditions.

Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or encourage fuller growth if needed.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy foliage growth.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: Inkberry Holly’s evergreen foliage and adaptable growth make it suitable for: privacy hedges, foundation plantings, native gardens, rain gardens, and coastal landscapes.

Hedge & Screen Excellence: Its dense growth and upright habit make it ideal for evergreen screens or natural hedges along property lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Inkberry Holly? For hedges or screens, space plants 4 to 6 feet apart on center to allow for mature spread.

Does Inkberry Holly produce berries? Yes, female plants produce small black berries if a male pollinator is nearby.

Is Inkberry Holly evergreen? Yes, it maintains its glossy green foliage year round, providing consistent landscape structure and color.