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Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ (Inkberry)

Inkberry 'Shamrock', Gallberry 'Shamrock', Bitter Gallberry 'Shamrock', Evergreen Winterberry 'Shamrock', Inkberry Holly 'Shamrock', Appalachian Tea 'Shamrock'

Ilex glabra 'Shamrock', Inkberry 'Shamrock', Gallberry 'Shamrock', Bitter Gallberry 'Shamrock', Evergreen Winterberry 'Shamrock', Inkberry Holly 'Shamrock', Appalachian Tea 'Shamrock', Blue berries, evergreen shrub, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub

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.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 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 Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint', Chinese Holly 'Needlepoint', Needlepoint Holly, Willowleaf Holly, evergreen shrub, Red Berries, columnar shrub
Ilex cassine, Dahoon, red berries, evergreen shrub, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub
Ilex Golden Oakland, Ilex hybrid 'Magden', Variegated Holly, Variegated Ilex, evergreen shrub, columnar shrub
Ilex crenata, Japanese Holly, Boxleaf Holly 'Sky Pencil', Box-leaved Holly, evergreen shrub, Black Berries, Blue Berries
Ilex Verticillata, Winterberry, Common Winterberry, Winterberry, Michigan Holly, Black Alder, Red berries, evergreen shrub, American winterberry
Ilex decidua, Possumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly, Prairie Holly, Swamp Holly, Welk Holly, Deciduous Yaupon, Bearberry, Winterberry
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 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 Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ilex
Guides with
Ilex
Not sure which Ilex to pick?
Compare Now

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