{"product_id":"densa-inkberry-holly","title":"Densa Inkberry Holly","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIlex glabra\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Densa’\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hedges, foundation plantings, rain gardens, and native plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e A compact, dense form of native inkberry holly with small, glossy evergreen leaves. A native alternative to boxwood for hedges and foundation plantings, it handles wet soil, part shade, and salt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Partial Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded, Upright — dense and full to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy Dark Green\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe native evergreen for anyone who wants a boxwood look without the boxwood problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInkberry is a holly native to the eastern United States, but it looks nothing like the spiny Christmas hollies. Its leaves are small, smooth-edged, and glossy dark green, giving it a fine texture that reads much like boxwood in a hedge or foundation planting. Densa is a selection chosen for an especially compact, thick habit that stays leafy down toward the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt grows slowly into a rounded, upright shrub four to six feet tall and wide, which suits it to the front of a house, a low screen along a patio, or a clipped or informal hedge. Because it is evergreen, it holds that structure all year and gives winter beds something solid to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInkberry also tolerates conditions that defeat many evergreens. In the wild it grows in moist coastal woods and bog edges, so it accepts wet soil, partial shade, and salt spray or road salt better than most foundation shrubs. Its small spring flowers are worked by bees, and native bees in particular make good use of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDensa Inkberry Holly Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in full sun to partial shade. Sun keeps the plant at its densest; in heavier shade it grows a bit more open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInkberry prefers moist, acidic soil with some organic matter and handles wet, poorly drained ground well. In alkaline soil the leaves can turn yellow, so it is best in neutral to acidic sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants tolerate both wet periods and short dry spells. Water well in late fall before the ground freezes, and keep a two-to-three-inch layer of mulch over the root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeeding needs are light. One application of a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e in early spring is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePrune or shear in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Inkberry takes cutting well. If an older plant thins out at the base, cutting a few of the oldest stems back hard in early spring encourages fresh growth from below. In zone 5, some leaves may bronze or drop in a hard winter; new growth fills in by early summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Densa Inkberry Holly for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur Densa Inkberry Holly ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. As an evergreen, it keeps its leaves through the off-season. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Densa Inkberry Holly Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExpect about 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, rounded shape. Growth is slow, so it takes several years to reach full size. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for a continuous hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is most often called inkberry or inkberry holly, and in the South it is also known as gallberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs inkberry a good replacement for boxwood?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many gardens, yes. It has the same small, glossy evergreen leaves and takes shearing, but it is not affected by boxwood blight and it tolerates wetter soil than boxwood does. It is a little less formal in habit unless trimmed regularly. Explore more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/evergreen-plants\"\u003eEvergreen Plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Densa a native plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a selection of \u003cem\u003eIlex glabra\u003c\/em\u003e, which is native to the eastern and southeastern United States. Selections like this are often called nativars: they keep the character of the native species in a more compact, garden-friendly form. Browse more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/native-plants\"\u003eNative Plants of North America\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs inkberry deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Deer rarely browse inkberry, which makes it a useful evergreen in yards where yews and arborvitae get eaten. No plant is entirely deer proof when food is scarce, but inkberry is one of the more dependable choices. See more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-shrubs-evergreens\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon \/ Spring '27 Pre-Order","offer_id":50554201702562,"sku":"APC-DnIH-3-1yr","price":89.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Almanac_Super_Sale.jpg?v=1792375527","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/densa-inkberry-holly","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}