Partial Shade to Partial Sun(3 – 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height
2-3 Feet
Mature Spread
2-4 Feet
Growing Zones
5 to 8
Are you searching for a vigorous, easy-to-grow evergreen shrub? Consider Forever Emerald™ Inkberry, a showy broadleaf perennial featuring small lustrous leaves, dark emerald on the topsides and pale green on the undersides. In late spring, one-half to one-inch white flowers appear, supporting bees. These turn to purplish-black fruit. Also known as Ilex glabra Forever Emerald™ (‘Alexander’), this showy, dense species of holly looks less like a typical inkberry and more like a boxwood.
This deer-resistant bush is native to Eastern North America and cold hardy in zones 5 to 8. It is compact and reaches only 2 to 3 feet high and 2 to 4 feet wide at maturity. Growing round and full, it maintains an excellent organic shape. It works well in hedges, windbreaks, borders, mass plantings, and beds, and can also thrive in containers.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Care
Plant this shrub in moist, well-drained, acidic soil. While appreciative of full sun, it can withstand some shade. Amend alkaline or poorly draining soil with compost. Since this inkberry appreciates consistently moist soil, water weekly even after the roots are established, particularly during drought. Feed this broadleaf a slow-release granular fertilizer for acid lovers during the spring.
Prune this evergreen yearly to improve its shape during late winter. Also, trim any dead, diseased, damaged and crossed branches to enhance air flow and access to sunlight.
This bush works well in containers. Plant it in a pot 15 inches in diameter with several drainage holes. While Forever Emerald™ Inkberry prefers consistently moist soil, it requires soil that drains well. Use a light potting medium with plenty of perlite for drainage. Plants kept in containers typically lose moisture more quickly than those maintained in the ground; therefore, water when the top one to two inches of soil are dry.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Spacing
Space each shrub 3 to 4 feet apart when creating a hedge or mass planting. Plant with viburnum and hydrangea.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Holly Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 – 8
Plant Type: Bushes
Light Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun (At Least 5 – 6 Hours Sunlight)
Mature Height: 2 – 3 Feet
Mature Spread: 2 – 4 Feet
Spacing: 2 – 4 Feet
Habit: Mounded
Flower Color(s): None
Flower Description:
Bloom Period:
Foliage Type: Evergreen
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description: Petite, Dark green Foliage
Seasonal Interest: Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
