Ilex glabra (Inkberry)

Ilex glabra, also called inkberry holly, gallberry, or Appalachian tea, is a large, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub found in wetter areas along much of the coastal eastern United States. Known for their glossy green leaves, showy ink-black berries, and environmental versatility, inkberry hollies are relative of the more common and ornamental American holly (Ilex opaca) and are just as hardy planted in the wild as in home landscapes. Growing to mature sizes of up to 5-10' tall and about as wide, inkberry produces small, fragrant white flowers in the late spring and early summer months. As a holly relative, most inkberries are either male or female, with female plants requiring a male pollinator in order to set their gorgeous black berries in the late summer and fall; berries which are highly attractive to a number of bird species.

A slow growing evergreen with a suckering habit, Ilex glabra is ideal for large foundation plantings or naturalized hedges and grows best in full sun to partial shade in medium to wet, well drained sandy, acidic soils; though inkberries may grow best in these conditions, they'll also tolerate clay, salty sites, and perpetually wet soils as well as erosion and compacted roots. Perfect for a variety of garden locations, Ilex glabra works especially well in rain gardens, along streams or ponds, or in forest understories where its evergreen foliage adds coverage for birds (and privacy) all year long. While inkberry hollies can occasionally become shaded out and lose leaves closer to the base, other inkberry cultivars produce denser foliage that makes them even better suited for compact and ornamental spaces.