How to grow Inkberry Hollies (Ilex glabra) with detailed description

[@tarawatterson4188]

Looking into native options, helpful to have this tutorial since they're not easy to find and I want to give it a good shot. Thanks Jim!

[@mh8576]

Native is always good. Remember to buy male and female. 1 male for every 4 female

[@zmizoomuchinformation45]

Good info! I am going to get a few inkberry plants. I want more butterflies in my yard and this plant acts as host plant for the Henry's Elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici)

[@jonathanhopkins786]

I planted 5 in February of this year and lost 2 a month ago from root rot. The other three are suffering a little but hoping for the best. You addressed my problems 2 minutes in... Thank you for the information!

[@jonathanhopkins786]

Also, Ive read in a few places that Shamrock is a little more resistant to root rot, more so than the species. Any truth to that?

[@P_Belle]

Have 13 *Shamrock Inkberry* . #gorgeous! Planted Aug-Nov 2017 as 1 gallons, barely 1'. 2yrs later, they're 3'- 4'. *open growth* though; not dense like my Japanese holly (Compacta, SkyP, Bennett) or Boxwood. I Hollytoned Spr 18 & 19.

[@postisland1]

Very informative, thanks

[@kathleenhackney3398]

Thank you so much Jim for your very thorough information on how to plant an inkberry. We were just gifted with one and were not sure what to do with it. Now we know! Much appreciated!

[@rickeyoconnor5359]

Your info is so helpful and spprecisted.

[@Ed-yl5vx]

Just bought 2 of these. Thank you for the great tips.

[@currycei]

Super-helpful video. I learned things I hadn't heard from nursery I bought from or read online event from state horticulture sites. About to plant two females and one male in front of my house/back of tiny garden I'm making organic, with plants for pollinators. I can control the moisture well as they'll have to be watered by me because the area is under wide eaves of the house (yet still gets plenty of sun--it's south-facing).

[@hallinasjournal7795]

Great! Looking for a native replacement for boxwood in my bird garden.

[@holdthelight6833]

Thanks Jim! I am between this and centennial girl holly. I want something native but having something that is dense, evergreen and reaches 8 feet tall is the most important thing. Thank m in zone 6. Thanks!!!!

[@awildapproach]

Fantastic info on these. Thank you!

[@hoeyel2013]

How far apart should inkberry be planted to make a hedge?

[@bjones8354]

It was very helpful, Tnank You!

[@todaysgarden2635]

how far back can you cut back inkberry? A client of mine has asked me to "trim" them because they have grown well over 6 feet tall. They want them cut back to 3-4 feet and I did not want to cut them back too far, since it will take most of the leaves off. Thank you for your help and advice

[@M00Nature]

Great video! I wanted this plant for its berries for the birds but could not figure out male vs female plants. Apparently the nursery had pruned the plants earlier (I was at the nursery in late August) so no berries on any of the dozen or so offered for sale. I had wanted to buy two plants, male and female, but had no way to ID them. They were about $50 each so that’s an investment I didn’t want to lose. I live in Western Massachusetts so don’t think there are any wild ink berries around to pollinate. Bummer!

[@KG.GreenScreen]

What would be your suggestion on the best replacement for a Boxwood? - We are in Houston, Texas. We use the Boxwood as a 3 1/2-ft tall x 2-ft wide hedge around our whole home facing the street. They looked very beautiful, with a classy look. Unfortunately, we have lost most of them because of fungus and/or poor water drainage (clay soli). Dark green leaves would be our preference. - Thank you.

[@kathbiddle-dutton7069]

Planted one in garden this past fall .. do they follow the sun ? It seems to be leaning toward it ? It seems to b doing well …Thanks

[@camillaluckey4136]

Where are you in NC? I am near Avl and want some inkberries, well-started like yours (to hide ugly view). Thanks.

[@haobaba]

are these Ilex glabra self pollinating or do you need to buy a different male variety to get the berries?

[@francisdigiovanna120]

I have inkberry holly as a hedge row in between a neighbor. The hedgerow has become overgrown. the height is about 4.5 feet and a width of about 3.0 feet. Can these be cut back to the base of the shrub and remove the full height to reestablish the plants? BTW I reside in CT. Thank you so very much

[@mh8576]

For those of you growing this to feed birds and other wildlife, remember to plant male and female plant so the plant will produce flowers and fruit. Good ratio: 1 male for every 4 female

[@natalie_tn]

Oh brother..we didn't do the greatest job planting our's..not above the soil level and didn't amend the soil. However we did tease the roots and they don't get watered..at all (they're about 3 yrs old). They do look a bit sparse and I'd like to do some major pruning and feeding as they are our front foundation shrubs. Based on what you've said I can do that without hurting them, right?

[@susancoe311]

I over watered my Dwarf inkberry hollies when I first planted with them and they dropped a lot of leaves. Will they replace their bare branches next year?

[@rachelanderson6845]

Hi there. Question, I am considering these in a swale. Would they do okay in soil that is frequently wet as long as I planted them up high enough to protect the crown? Thanks for all the info!

[@camillaluckey4136]

Where to get the species, not shamrock etc?

[@johnkim1656]

Are the yellow leaves in the bottom center normal?

[@sonabran4751]

I have one of these beauties but not realizing they could/should be pruned, it is full ht etc. Can I prune it now that it is full grown and when? Also the bottom branches are getting bare, any insight?

[@ellenharold5191]

I have read they can be sheared to the ground and will grow back fuller, though personally I wouldn't want to do that.

[@samm8250]

I hope I am able to get a response given this video is a year old. I recently learned that Hollies can be either male or female. If I have a female Inkberry Holly, how can I find a mate for it s.t. the female will produce berries?

[@kristenjawor-brady8491]

What can I plant behind a hydrangea? I purchased 3 green velvet buxus ( which i worry have boxwood blight due to yellowing leaves , some brown and black specks on them so I will take them back) But I wanted to put them behind my hydrangeas ( which are basic blue , purple, pink and will grow to be 3 to 4 ft tall according to the tag on the pot. I thought the buxus would be pretty but I am worried it will not grow faster than the hydrangea and not give the layered look of plants that I want in my half moon shaped flower bed against a fence. I need three ever green shrubs behind 2 hydrangeas and I have a black eyed susan in the front center. This layered look was so important to me and so was having evergreens so I could decorate them at christmas. Any suggestions. I fear it is getting to late in the season to purchase something too. Most of the good stuff is sold out! ugh

[@JimPutnam]

If it was Boxwood blight they would be defoliated already. It moves very fast. The actual problem with them is that the hydrangea will grow much faster than Boxwoods. Inkberry Hollies actually would be a good choice. I have really nice ones in my landscape.

[@RyanMcDonnough]

Dude. Just set-down the pot. No need to wrestle it for the whole video.