Compact Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra 'Compacta'
Height: 4 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Description:
An extremely versatile small evergreen shrub, can be used in the garden or for low hedges, massing and topiary, small oval leaves and interesting black berries in winter; quite hardy, but some suckering, use where this is an advantage
Ornamental Features
Compact Inkberry Holly has dark green evergreen foliage on a plant with a round habit of growth. The glossy narrow leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. It produces black berries from mid fall to late winter.
Landscape Attributes
Compact Inkberry Holly is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Suckering
Compact Inkberry Holly is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
- Topiary
Planting & Growing
Compact Inkberry Holly will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a female variety of the species which requires a male selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.
