Gem Box Prime™ Inkberry Holly

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

The clean, clipped look of boxwood without the boxwood headaches is what makes Gem Box Prime™ inkberry holly a standout. Ilex glabra ‘SMNIGCM’ holds tight, fine-textured evergreen foliage in a dense mound that stays handsome instead of thinning or turning ratty after stress. At maturity it reaches about 3–4 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, giving you real structure without constant shearing. Unlike boxwood, it is highly resistant to blight, leafminers, and box tree moth, so the “formal” look lasts. 

This is a North American native inkberry with a fuller, lower-branching habit than earlier selections, so it looks finished even at the base. Spring flowers are small but useful for pollinators. As a female plant it can set dark berries if a male inkberry (like Squeeze Box or Strongbox) is nearby. Foliage stays deep green through the seasons and it tolerates heat, humidity, and coastal conditions better than many small-leaved evergreens. Use it as a low hedge, a foundation “line,” repeated rhythm in mixed borders, or as a strong container centerpiece. 

Gem Box Prime™ Inkberry Holly Care

Give it full sun to part sun; more light usually means tighter growth and a richer leaf color. Plant it in organically rich soil that drains well but doesn’t dry fast, aiming for an acidic pH around 5.0–6.5. Water deeply at planting, then keep the root zone evenly damp the first season. Once established it handles short dry spells, but it looks best when drought isn’t routine. If growth seems sluggish, a light dose of an acid-loving evergreen fertilizer in early spring is helpful.

Little pruning is needed, as it naturally keeps a compact outline. If you want sharper edges, do a light trim after the spring flush firms up, and avoid cutting late in the season. In colder zones, a 2–3 inch mulch layer helps protect the shallow roots and reduces winter leaf stress, especially in windy spots.

Gem Box Prime™ Inkberry Holly Spacing

For a continuous hedge, space plants about 3 feet apart; for individual mounds or groupings, give them 4 feet so the shape stays distinct. Start young plants in a 16–20 inch wide container with drainage so the root ball has room to expand without drying out too quickly. Pair it with coral bells for foliage contrast, catmint for a soft edging, or switchgrass for upright texture nearby.

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