{"product_id":"gem-box-inkberry-holly","title":"Gem Box® Inkberry Holly","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"product-essentials--title ProductHeading__title\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/PWCCFullColorTransparent_240x240.png?v=1696002318\" alt=\"Almanac Planting Co: Proven Winners ColorChoice logo\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low hedges, edging, foundation plantings, mass plantings, and containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dwarf native inkberry with tiny, glossy leaves and a dense, round shape that looks more like boxwood than a typical inkberry. Branches stay full to the ground and hold their form without shearing.\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 — dense ball, branched to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark Green\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 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 neat, compact evergreen look of a boxwood, from a shrub that grows wild in North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInkberry is a native holly of eastern wetlands and pine barrens. Most inkberries grow open and leggy with age, but Gem Box® was selected for the opposite: a tight, rounded form with leaves so small and closely set that it reads as a boxwood from a few steps away. New growth comes in tipped with red each spring before settling to a glossy dark green that holds through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt stays small, about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and keeps its branches full right down to the soil, so a row of them makes a clean low hedge or edge without bare legs at the bottom. It also fits foundation beds, the front of a border, and large patio containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it is a holly, not a boxwood, it is a natural choice for gardeners who want the boxwood look in a planting of natives. Deer tend to leave it alone, and it takes the moist, acidic soil that many evergreens dislike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGem Box® Inkberry Holly Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in full sun to partial shade. It grows in shade, but the plant is fuller and the leaves have better color with at least a few hours of sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGive it moist, slightly acidic soil. Inkberry is comfortable in damp ground and grows fastest with steady moisture. Avoid alkaline soil, which can yellow the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish, and during dry spells after that. A layer of mulch keeps the shallow roots cool and moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeeding needs are light. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e made for acid-loving plants in early spring is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGem Box® holds a round shape without regular shearing. If you want a crisper hedge line, trim lightly in late spring after the new growth has hardened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing in Containers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts small size and slow growth make it a good evergreen for patio pots. Use a container with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check the soil often in summer. Feed lightly each spring. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Gem Box® Inkberry Holly for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur Gem Box® Inkberry Holly ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. 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 Gem Box® Inkberry Holly Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExpect about 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity. For a low hedge, space plants about 2 feet apart so they knit together into a continuous row.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the botanical name of Gem Box® Inkberry Holly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe botanical name is \u003cem\u003eIlex glabra\u003c\/em\u003e Gem Box® ‘SMNIGAB17’. Browse more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/proven-winners\"\u003eProven Winners®\u003c\/a\u003e plants.\u003c\/p\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 is also known as gallberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it replace boxwood?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor most low hedges and edging, yes. It has the small leaves, tight round shape, and evergreen color people plant boxwood for. It is a holly rather than a boxwood, so it belongs to a different plant family, and it prefers moist, acidic soil where many boxwoods struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Gem Box® Inkberry Holly native?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Inkberry is native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. Gem Box® is a selection of the native species, often called a nativar. 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 it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeer tend to leave inkberry alone, which makes it a useful evergreen where boxwood alternatives are needed in deer country. 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":"1 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":50813789896866,"sku":"APC-GBIH-1-1yr","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Gal \/ 12″–15″ \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":50813789929634,"sku":"APC-GBIH-3-1yr","price":89.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/IlexglabraGemBoxPrime2.jpg?v=1794065097","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/gem-box-inkberry-holly","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}