The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.
inkberry
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'
Inkberry (Ilex glabra 'Shamrock') is an evergreen shrub featuring glossy, dark green, leathery leaves. It can reach heights of up to 6 feet. The foliage turns dark purplish-black in fall and winter. Its small, white flowers appear in the late spring and form small, blue-black or inkberry-shaped fruits which from are enjoyed by birds. This durable and hardy plant is evergreen and deer resistant, making it a great choice for use as a hedge, foundation, or in tough landscape situations. It also works well as an accent plant and container display. 'Shamrock' is unusual among inkberry cultivars because of its bright yellow variegated foliage that stands out in the landscape.
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.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Inkberry typically starts flowering in April.
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.
