inkberry
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish-white Flowers
Sun:
full sun,part shade
Fruits:
black Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
Inkberry plants prefer moist soil with good drainage, so they should be watered regularly in order to keep their soil consistently moist. During the warmer months, water the plant deeply about once a week in order to keep the soil damp but not soggy. In winter, when the plant is dormant, water it sparingly once every 2 weeks depending on the season and weather in your area. During periods of extreme heat and drought, it may be necessary to water the plant more often.
sunlight
Inkberry plants need plenty of sunlight and should be placed in direct sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours per day. Inkberry plants can tolerate partial shade but they will flower best when they are getting ample sunlight. During summer months, plants should be exposed to full sun, while in the winter the sunlight requirement is less and 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight will be sufficient to maintain their health. In general, Inkberry plants should be kept out of the shade to keep them growing strong.
pruning
Inkberry plants (Ilex glabra 'Shamrock') should be pruned lightly at the end of winter or early in the spring season. When pruning, focus on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Remove about 1/3 of the oldest branches all the way to the ground and also prune any suckers or Water sprouts that may have developed. Additionally, thin out the inner branches to increase light and air circulation. It's best to prune this plant species gently, as it does not always respond well to hard pruning.
