Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Are you searching for a vigorous, easy-to-grow evergreen shrub? Consider Forever Emerald™ Inkberry, a showy broadleaf perennial featuring small lustrous leaves, dark emerald on the topsides and pale green on the undersides. In late spring, one-half to one-inch white flowers appear, supporting bees. These turn to purplish-black fruit. Also known as Ilex glabra Forever Emerald™ (‘Alexander’), this showy, dense species of holly looks less like a typical inkberry and more like a boxwood.
This deer-resistant bush is native to Eastern North America and cold hardy in zones 5 to 8. It is compact and reaches only 2 to 3 feet high and 2 to 4 feet wide at maturity. Growing round and full, it maintains an excellent organic shape. It works well in hedges, windbreaks, borders, mass plantings, and beds, and can also thrive in containers.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Care
Plant this shrub in moist, well-drained, acidic soil. While appreciative of full sun, it can withstand some shade. Amend alkaline or poorly draining soil with compost. Since this inkberry appreciates consistently moist soil, water weekly even after the roots are established, particularly during drought. Feed this broadleaf a slow-release granular fertilizer for acid lovers during the spring.
Prune this evergreen yearly to improve its shape during late winter. Also, trim any dead, diseased, damaged and crossed branches to enhance air flow and access to sunlight.
This bush works well in containers. Plant it in a pot 15 inches in diameter with several drainage holes. While Forever Emerald™ Inkberry prefers consistently moist soil, it requires soil that drains well. Use a light potting medium with plenty of perlite for drainage. Plants kept in containers typically lose moisture more quickly than those maintained in the ground; therefore, water when the top one to two inches of soil are dry.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Spacing
Space each shrub 3 to 4 feet apart when creating a hedge or mass planting. Plant with viburnum and hydrangea.
Forever Emerald™ Inkberry Holly 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
- Part Shade to Part Sun (3-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-4 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Dwarf
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- 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
- Petite, dark green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Forever Emerald™ Inkberry
- Also Known As
- Forever Emerald Inkberry
- Botanical Name
- Ilex glabra Forever Emerald
- 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
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
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!