Gem Box Inkberry holly up close.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly up close.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in container.
A size chart showing 2 different options for Shrub Plants: Quart (5-8" plant height, 4.5" pot width, 5" pot height); 1 Gallon (6-24" plant height, 6.5" pot width, 7.13" pot height).
Gem Box Inkberry holly in focus.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in focus.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)
Gem Box Inkberry holly detailed plant packaging.
Gem Box Inkberry holly up close.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly up close.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in container.
A size chart showing 2 different options for Shrub Plants: Quart (5-8" plant height, 4.5" pot width, 5" pot height); 1 Gallon (6-24" plant height, 6.5" pot width, 7.13" pot height).
Gem Box Inkberry holly in focus.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in focus.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box Gem Box Inkberry holly in use.
Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)
Gem Box Inkberry holly detailed plant packaging.

Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)

Please Note: Due to state restrictions, we are unable to ship to Idaho until Oct 1.
Please select Size and Ship Week to view correct pricing and availability.
Price
Regular price $1699
Regular price $2099 Sale price $1699
Save $4
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Orders placed before 11am ET will ship same day. Orders placed after 11am ET will ship next day. Annual orders ship Monday – Wednesday. Perennial, Shrub, and Hardgood orders ship Monday – Friday.
  • Free Shipping $175+
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A great native alternative to boxwood! This cool new dwarf, broadleaf evergreen looks more like a boxwood than an inkberry. A dense, ball-shaped plant, Gem Box ilex has small, dainty, dark green leaves with attractive red tips during the spring flush. It maintains good branching right to the ground so it never looks bare-legged like other cultivars may. It's great as a small evergreen hedge or used as a container specimen in milder climates.

  • 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity
  • Hardy in zones 5-9, be sure to check your USDA zone to ensure success
  • Plant in part to full sun (4+ hours daily)
  • Space plants 2-3 feet apart for best results
  • Maintains dark green leaves with a red tint during spring on a tidy, rounded habit year-round
  • Resists deer
  • Great for borders, low hedges, containers, edging, landscapes, mass plantings, focal points
  • Native to North America, miniature variety, foliage Interest, fall and winter interest, salt tolerant

Care: Fertilize with Proven Winners Continuous Release Plant Food in spring and mid summer. Little to no pruning is needed. If you wish to trim or prune it, do so in mid-late spring, after the new growth has emerged.

Pollination: This is a female variety. Plant near a male variety like Squeeze Box® if you want berries.

Shipping Info:

  • Enjoy free shipping on orders over $175
  • Size at shipping varies by season, plant, and trimming schedules
    • Quart shrubs are 5-8" tall at shipment
    • 1-Gallon shrubs are 6-24" tall at shipment
  • Shrubs ship dormant November through April

Read our guide to get started with planning a garden
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Customers praised this Inkberry holly as a native boxwood alternative that arrives healthy and well-packed. Shoppers said plants were "green, healthy" with strong roots and leaves. Multiple customers noted new growth shortly after planting. One minor concern: pricing fluctuations during sales.

  • 5 stars: 5 (71%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (14%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 1 (14%)
M
M. S.
Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)

Very pleased with these plants. They were well packed and all in great condition. Buying from Proven Winners Direct, and during a sale, let me get the quantity of plants I needed for a larger project. I will definitely be back for more plants in future!

M. S. review photo

Beautiful and thriving!! 😍

P
Patricia J.
USDA Planting Zone: 6
Light: Full Sun
Soil Type: Bagged Soil/Potting Soil
Wildlife Pressure: None
Arrived on time and well packed

Arrived on time and well packed. Planted them right away in a new bed with topsoil. They look very healthy and I am super pleased with these plants.

E
Erin

These plants arrived 6 days after shipping dead with leaves and dirt all over the box. They aren’t usable which is highly disappointing after the steep price I paid for the plants AND shipping!! STILL waiting for a response and remedy from the company…

P
Percy G.
USDA Planting Zone: 8
Light: Full Sun
Soil Type: Clay
Wildlife Pressure: None
All are living and growing

All are living and growing, I am happy with my purchase

A
Anonymous
USDA Planting Zone: 7
Light: Part Sun
Soil Type: Clay
Wildlife Pressure: Deer
Arrived in great condition

Arrived in great condition, hoping they take off. Only complaint is they sold out at the lower price and I need a few more.

S
Suzanne A.
Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)

Arrived in green, healthy condition; well-packed and ready to go! They were planted a little over a week ago and are already sending up new little branches. Thank you for offering this plant, a great substitute for boxwood in the native garden (I'm in Zone 7A in New York).

Thank you for sharing!! We're so happy to hear that you are enjoying your plants!

N
NNNY
Gem Box® Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)

These plants are healthy and shiny. The leaves and roots are healthy.

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