Alphabetical Plant Listing

Ilex glabra Gem Box® (Inkberry)

Inkberry Gem Box®, Gallberry Gem Box®, Bitter Gallberry Gem Box®, Evergreen Winterberry Gem Box®, Inkberry Holly Gem Box®, Appalachian Tea Gem Box®, Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17'


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.

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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)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average, High
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

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Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners ColorChoice - www.provenwinners.com

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


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)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average, High
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

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Ilex - Hollies

Guides with Ilex - Hollies

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