Ilex glabra Shamrock (Inkberry)

Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' (Inkberry) is an evergreen, stoloniferous shrub of compact, rounded habit with slender foliage of thick, spineless, dark green leaves. In late spring to early summer, it produces abundant small greenish-white flowers that are followed by a profusion of dark blue-black berries in fall. Particularly attractive, they enliven the winter landscape and often persist through the winter unless eaten by birds. 'Shamrock' is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce attractive blue berries. Its modest size makes it ideal for small gardens

• Slow-growing, this evergreen shrub grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm). Remove root suckers regularly if the colonial spread is not desired.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in average, medium to wet, well-drained, acidic soils. Tolerates poorly drained soils as well as wet boggy conditions. Does poorly in neutral to alkaline soils and often dies.
• Generally pest and disease free. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders. Perfect for hedges or for foundation plantings. Excellent shrub for wet soils, bog gardens, rain gardens, and along streams or ponds.
• Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth begins.
• Native to North America.