inkberry

Inkberry plants (Ilex glabra) need regular watering to ensure they remain healthy and vigorous. This plant will thrive in a well-draining soil that holds moisture. During the growing season, about once a week, water the inkberry deeply to keep the soil moist. Depending on how much rainfall has occurred, you may need to water the plant more often. In the winter, when the plants are dormant, you should reduce the frequency of watering to about once every 3 weeks. When watering, make sure to water the entire root zone rather than just the surface.

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a shade tolerant plant species and prefers part sun or filtered sunlight. The best exposure for inkberry would be in a site that receives light dappled shade all day - for example, sun dappled beneath the canopy of a deciduous tree. Inkberry can also do well on the north side of a house or fence in a zone where it is protected from direct sun and harsh afternoon rays. Inkberry should receive less than 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) can be pruned any time of the year, although late winter (January-February) is the best time to perform major pruning. During this time, you should trim back the older, leggy branches to encourage new growth. For a formal hedge or shrub border, keep the plant at a width of 2-3 feet and a height of 4-5 feet by lightly pruning the plant yearly in late spring (May-June). Remove dead or crossing branches and thin out the branches to allow light and air into the center of the plant. Regular, light pruning will help maintain a denser, more attractive plant.