Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ (Inkberry)
Inkberry 'Shamrock', Gallberry 'Shamrock', Bitter Gallberry 'Shamrock', Evergreen Winterberry 'Shamrock', Inkberry Holly 'Shamrock', Appalachian Tea 'Shamrock'
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 |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
PhotoCourtesy of Bailey Nurseries Inc
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 |
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 |
