5 named cultivars

shrubN. America Native

Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra

The Story

Plant Bio

Ilex glabra, inkberry, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States and north into Canada, reaching five to ten feet. Small glossy dark green leaves with a few marginal teeth clothe upright rounded stems, and pea-sized jet-black fruits ripen in September and persist into late autumn on female plants.

It is one of very few evergreen shrubs that genuinely thrives in wet, acidic soil, which makes it the native answer to boxwood in rain gardens and pond edges. It suckers from the base and can go leggy with age; cutting the oldest stems out keeps it furnished to the ground.

Uses & Benefits:

Neat glossy evergreen foliage year-round with black autumn fruit on female plants.

An evergreen that tolerates wet acidic ground, where boxwood and most alternatives fail.

Nectar for bees including specialist species; fruit feeds songbirds into winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

90 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, acidic soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Space plants for the mature five to eight foot spread.
Keep the soil moist; it tolerates occasional wet.
Prune in late winter to renew leggy stems.
Plant a male nearby if fruit is wanted.

Pro Tip

Cut the oldest third of the stems out every few years — inkberry goes bare-legged with age and renewal pruning is the only reliable fix.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in moist, acidic soil 🌱
Prune in late winter to renew stems ✂️
Use it where boxwood would rot 💧
Include a male plant for berries 🖤

Don't

Plant in dry alkaline soil ❌
Shear it into a tight ball and let the base go bare ❌
Expect fruit from a lone female ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evergreen hedge in damp groundRain garden and pond-edge shrubNative alternative to boxwood

Companion Plants

Winterberry Sweetspire Buttonbush Cinnamon Fern Red Twig Dogwood

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Inkberry Holly questions

What zones can Inkberry Holly grow in?

Inkberry Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Inkberry Holly deer resistant?

Yes — Inkberry Holly is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Inkberry Holly bloom?

Inkberry Holly typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Inkberry Holly need full sun?

Inkberry Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.