Ilex glabra Gem Box® (Inkberry)

Ilex glabra Gem Box® (Inkberry) is a dwarf, broadleaf evergreen of compact, rounded habit with lush foliage of small, dainty, dark green leaves adorned with attractive red tips during the spring flush. It maintains good branching right to the ground, so it never looks bare-legged. 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.