Ilex glabra Strongbox® (Inkberry)

Ilex glabra Strongbox® (Inkberry) is an evergreen, stoloniferous shrub of compact, rounded habit with lush foliage of thick, spineless, blue-green leaves. In spring, it produces inconspicuous small greenish-white flowers. Resembling boxwood, this Inkberry is a good substitute as it is resistant to disease, pests, and winter burn. Highly adaptable, its modest size makes it ideal for small gardens or containers.

Ilex glabra Strongbox® (Inkberry) is an evergreen, stoloniferous shrub of compact, rounded habit with lush foliage of thick, spineless, blue-green leaves. In spring, it produces inconspicuous small greenish-white flowers. Resembling boxwood, this Inkberry is a good substitute as it is resistant to disease, pests, and winter burn. Highly adaptable, its modest size makes it ideal for small gardens or containers.

  • Slow-growing, this evergreen shrub grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 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.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 9

Heat Zones 3
– 9

Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ilex – Hollies
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 24″
– 36″
(60cm
– 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Edging, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage