All media depicts mature plants.

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly (Ilex)

SHRUB

Description

  • Native evergreen from Proven Winners looks like boxwood. 
  • Lush and full to the ground, looks stunning in the landscape!
  • Naturally grows with a neat, rounded shape.
  • Makes a shapely specimen or nice low hedge.
  • Zones 5-9, sun/part sun, 3' tall x 3' wide at maturity
Zone 5-9
Light part sun/sun
medium

$23.99 Each
Total
$23.99
Size
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Hand-picked at our greenhouse

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Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

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More Information

Description Gem Box® inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) is a ground-breaking alternative to boxwood. Though it grows native across much of eastern North America, Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs selected Gem Box® for its dense, neat, rounded shape and ability to stay lush and full all the way to the ground. It makes a perfect evergreen, semi-formal accent to pollinator or native plant gardens, or plant it as a durable, low hedge. It does not require pruning or trimming to maintain its shape, making it incredibly low-maintenance. Inkberry holly is quite durable, tolerating very wet and occasionally dry conditions. It's not quite as shade-tolerant or deer resistant as boxwood but has the advantage of attracting pollinators and being a bit less fussy and far more disease resistant. History buffs, take note: this plant is called "inkberry holly" because Civil War soldiers used its berries to make a crude ink to write letters home. You may also want to check out Strongbox inkberry holly, which is like Gem Box but offers a lower, more cylindrical shape. Note about berries: Gem Box inkberry holly is a female variety and can potentially develop berries when paired with Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly.   Details How To Grow

Garden Care

Our Guide for Fall Planting

The start of fall may signal the gardening season is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! There is still plenty of time to enjoy colorful flowers and foliage or even sprinkle in some new perennials and shrubs before winter arrives.

Customer Reviews

Based on 20 reviews
60%
(12)
10%
(2)
0%
(0)
25%
(5)
5%
(1)
L
L.J. (Wisconsin)
Cheerful Little Plants

Gem box makes a great stand-along border or accent plants for bare spots. It's very hardy and forgiving of harsh weather.

C
C.J.H. (Arkansas)
Great alternative for boxwoods

These plants are doing great and are perfect for a small evergreen. I may have to purchase more!

M
M.F. (Arkansas)
Leafless

When I opened the shipping box, the bottom was filled with dead leaves from my two shrubs. One plant has two remaining attached leaves. I hope it's enough to grow roots during this inaugural "sleep" year. Three weeks in the ground and no verdict yet.

Hello! We apologize that you received plants that are not up to our standards. While we try our best to provide exceptional service, some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control, and issues like this can sometimes happen. Please email pictures of the plants to claims@greatgardenplants.com, making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we have a 60-day guarantee on all our plants. If you received your plants within that time frame, we would be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
https://www.greatgardenplants.com/pages/our-guarantee

S
S.C. (Maryland)
Inkbox gemstone

Great Gardens excellent to work with. Plants are thriving and the couple that weren’t were promptly replaced.

K
K.D. (Massachusetts)

For what I was charged the plants were too small. I should have gone to a retail nursery and paid a bit more for a larger specimen.

I'm sorry you are not satisfied with your plants! We do note that all of our plants are young on each product page and on our plant sizes page (found here).

Rest assure you have 60 day warranty on all of your plants. Please email pictures of any plant in question to claims@greatgardenplants.com