Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Densa inkberry creates a steadfast year-round display or hedge with its glossy green foliage. Unlike some other types of inkberries, the Densa does not have a tendency to lose lower leaves and then have a bare-looking base. A female cultivar of the Ilex glabra species, the Dansa has a rounded, compact form and has good branching even at ground level. Few plants rival the Densa inkberry as a compact privacy screen option.
As a slow-growing, dense evergreen with a tendency to sucker, the Densa inkberry is very well suited to use as a foundation or hedge plant. This plant is easy to care for and can be pruned to any desired shape or size. Densa inkberry can even grow in suitably large containers. It is a cultivar of a plant native to the eastern United States. Inconspicuous white flowers make way for small black berries that attract birds.
Densa Inkberry Care
The Densa inkberry can tolerate a few hours of shade daily but otherwise enjoys sites with full sun. It prefers slightly acidic, moist soils but performs well in a range of soil types and under varied conditions, including places prone to salt exposure. Plan to water the inkberry regularly during hot, dray weather and mulch around it to help conserve soil moisture. An ability to tolerate poorly-drained soils makes the Densa inkberry a good alternative to boxwoods for these sites. Feed the inkberry with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer annually in spring before new growth emerges to encourage vigor.
Prune the Densa inkberry annually in early summer when new growth has hardened off. You can use hedge trimmers to shape the plant and selectively cut back a portion of the oldest branches to open up the canopy of the plant.
Densa Inkberry Spacing
The Densa inkberry grows four to six feet tall with a similar spread, although it can get bigger with space and no pruning. Space plants four feet apart to form a hedge or give them five feet or more of space if using them as individual specimens.
Densa Inkberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Densa Inkberry
- Botanical Name
- ILEX GLABRA 'DENSA'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!