Gem Box® Inkberry Holly - Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17'

Ilex Gem Box® (Inkberry Holly) is a dense, globe-shaped evergreen shrub prized for its naturally compact form and tidy appearance in modern landscapes. The upright dark green foliage of Ilex Gem Box® emerges with attractive red-tinted new growth in spring, adding subtle seasonal color and fresh texture to garden beds and containers. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear during the growing season, contributing gentle interest without overwhelming the plant’s clean structure. Ideal for low hedges, foundation plantings, and formal borders, Ilex Gem Box® thrives in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils and adapts well to both sun and partial shade. Although Ilex Gem Box® is a female variety, there are currently no compatible male pollinators available, making it a foliage-focused evergreen valued for its shape, durability, and year-round landscape appeal.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low Maintenance.  Water regularly.   Well-drained soils essential.   Potential issues include mites, scale, leaf spot, rot, and mildew.  Susceptible to leaf scorch or drop if not protected from afternoon sun in hotter climates.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Foundation Plantings, Hedges, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Astilbe, Hydrangea, Magnolia

IMAGE: Photos by Proven Winners, Gem Box Inkberry Holly

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown