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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
Common names Gallberry, Inkberry, Holly
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 vomitoria f. pendula (Weeping Yaupon Holly)
Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’ (Chinese Holly)
Ilex cassine (Dahoon)
Ilex Golden Oakland® (Holly)
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

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Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Ilex aquifolium (English Holly)
Attractive Evergreen Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
Attractive Deciduous Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
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
Common names Gallberry, Inkberry, Holly
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?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ilex (Holly)
Guides with
Ilex (Holly)
Not sure which Ilex (Holly) to pick?
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