Tips For Growing Inkberry Holly Learn About The Care Of Inkberries

Taking care of inkberries is relatively simple and well within the talents of novice gardeners. Choose a planting spot with acidic soil and full sunlight. Inkberry plants love moist soil with good drainage. Keep the soil moist at all times for the best results.

Why are my inkberry leaves turning yellow?

Inkberry is susceptible to chlorosis, a yellowing of leaves caused by alkaline soil. This is one of the symptoms of some of the diseases that affect inkberry, so if you suspect canker or root rot, test the pH of your soil first.

Why is my inkberry dropping leaves?

The most common reason for this to happen is drought stress. Holly Inkberry grows naturally in very moist or almost swampy locations but will tolerate soil with an average moisture level. In a dry year or a year that is very hot, you may need to water them to maintain a more even level of soil moisture.

How tall does inkberry get?

Ilex glabra, commonly called inkberry or gallberry, is a slow-growing, upright-rounded, stoloniferous, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family. It typically matures to 5-8' tall, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies.

What do holly bushes need to grow?

The best location for planting holly bushes is in well-drained but not dry, slightly acidic soil in full sun. That being said, most hollies are very tolerant of less than ideal locations and will grow well in part shade or dry or swampy soil.

How do you fertilize inkberry?

Fertilize in spring with a fertilizer such as Holly-Tone. If your soil is alkaline, consider enriching it with peat moss when planting your inkberry.

Is inkberry holly invasive?

Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) will tolerate some shade. ... Mountain Laurel- a great native replacement for Barberry, an invasive plant.

Can you cut inkberry to the ground?

The branch can be cut to the ground or you can make the cut just above new leaves near the exterior of the shrub. Prune branches in the interior of the inkberry shrub to thin it out. View the shrub 5 to 10 feet back to see where thinning is needed.

Is Winterberry an evergreen?

A holly has glossy evergreen leaves, right? ... Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly, or Winterberry is our native, wetland holly that loses it leaves each autumn. This beautiful shrub is all the showier because its lack of winter leaves makes its berry display all the brighter.

What is the best fertilizer for holly bushes?

Fertilizing Holly Bushes

Compost or well-rotted livestock manure make excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.

How long do holly bushes live?

The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.

Which birds eat holly berries?

Blackbirds, fieldfares, redwings and thrushes eat the berries. Holly leaves are slow to break down, so hedgehogs, small mammals, toads and slow worms hibernate in the deep leaf litter that builds up beneath the trees.

Is inkberry holly poisonous?

The fruit is small, round, and bright red like holly berries, which is why it is also known as the American holly tree or bush. ... Inkberry plants are not poisonous themselves, but the fruit (berries) are toxic to people and animals.

How do you prune inkberry?

In late winter or early spring, cut the entire shrub down so it stands about 18 to 24 inches tall. You might need a pair of loppers or a pruning saw to effectively remove thick stems without tearing them. It might take several years for the inkberry to grow back to its original size, but it will look much healthier.

Do birds eat inkberry?

Later on, birds depend on plants like chokeberry, cranberry viburnum (V. trilobum), and native hollies, which become palatable after several freeze-thaw cycles. The evergreen hollies – spiny-leafed American holly, (Ilex. opaca) and inkberry (I.

Is Japanese holly invasive?

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that doesn't call attention to itself. ... In contrast to English holly – a bold plant with large, sharply-pointed leaves – Ilex crenata is slow-growing, fine-textured, and not at all invasive.

What can I plant instead of nandina?

Rather than planting nandina, try planting golden currant, also known as buffalo currant, which is native to the central US. It is a deciduous, shrub that grows 6-8 feet tall.

Is Chinese holly invasive?

The plants need an occasional deep watering in dry periods, but they are generally both drought resistant and heat tolerant. In fact, growing Chinese holly is so easy that the shrub is considered invasive in some areas. These include parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.

What is an inkberry Bush?

Inkberry is a type of holly bush that is found wild in many southern bogs and damp woodlands. Its round, dense shape forms a thick hedge when it's grown in a row. Inkberry holly varieties vary from thick 4-foot versions to the almost tree-like 8-foot tall giants.

How long does Winterberry last?

Store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them. If you cut winterberry stems during the plant's growing season, the foliage should remain fresh for at least two weeks.

Will Winterberry grow in shade?

Winterberries are quite shade tolerant, but in very dark conditions, flowering and fruiting can be significantly diminished, or may not occur at all. We recommend a minimum of four hours of sun each day, or filtered light throughout the day, for the best display.

Do birds like Winterberry?

Not only will the winterberries delight human neighbors every fall and winter, they will attract and feed a variety of birds. ... Birds that brighten our winter days, like Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins, will eat the fruit on chilly days. Cedar Waxwings and woodpeckers find Winterberries irresistible too.