Gem Box® Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17'

Proven Winners®

Compact Gem Box® Inkberry Holly Stays Neat and Tidy Without Constant Pruning
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 2-3 ft Tall and Wide
Pollution Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies

$26⁵⁹

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This evergreen thrives in full sun to partial shade, needing at least 4 to 6 hours of direct light daily. While it handles shade well, planting it in more sun results in a tighter, denser ball shape and faster growth.
Soil: These hollies love acidic, moist soil that mimics their natural woodland habitat. If you have heavy clay that stays gummy, mix in compost or peat moss to improve drainage and lower the pH level for healthier green leaves.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, keep the soil consistently moist to help the roots settle into their new home. Once established, Gem Box is quite adaptable to wet areas but needs regular deep watering during summer dry spells to prevent the lower leaves from thinning out. If the soil dries out completely, the plant may experience stress that leads to slower growth and a less compact appearance.

Pruning Tips

Because this holly produces flowers on new wood, the best time to prune is in early spring before the fresh growth begins. Think of it like a light haircut to maintain its natural rounded shape; simply shear the outer tips to encourage the plant to branch out and stay "full" from top to bottom. Avoid heavy pruning late in the summer, as this can stimulate soft growth that won't have time to harden before the first frost.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced fertilizer designed for acid loving plants once in early spring as the new buds begin to swell. This provides the necessary nutrients for that signature dark green foliage throughout the growing season. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in late autumn, because pushing new growth right before winter makes the plant vulnerable to cold damage and "winter burn" on the leaves.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Evergreen, Compact/Dwarf, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly, Groundcover
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Sandy
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Native	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Holly
Botanical Name	Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17'
Species	glabra
Cultivar	SMNIGAB17
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Dwarf broad-leaved evergreen stays formal, neat and tidy! If you love the evergreen look of Boxwood but want to step out of the pack a bit, try Gem Box® Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17')! This Proven Winners® plant is long in style, but short in stature. We're sure you'll appreciate it all year-round!

Dark green, lustrous fine textured foliage sports beautiful red blushed new growth. This is a female cultivar, but currently, no males have been introduced to pollinate it so it is grown as a broadleaved evergreen that does not set fruit. Dense and fluffy, this Inkberry maintains good branching right to the ground, Gem Box® always looks classy and full!

The fine-textured, glossy, lance-shaped leaves bring a year round dark-green sheen and a high-style look to your garden throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9 adding an amazing designer touch to your landscape! It will tolerate several hours of shade a day. That makes it even more versatile to use near ornamental trees, patios, and foundations.

Planting and Application:

Create backdrops, and garden definition, adding formal structure to beds or borders without the designer price tag! Try them in small containers along a walkway or at your entry. Gem Box® Ilex remains neat and tidy, and you'll love using the mounded structural accent in just about any garden bed! These bring a lovely quality to containers and planters.

That steady year-round green just looks so handsome and the dainty dark-green leaves retain that glossy sheen! Fitting into formal beds as well as they do loose country plantings! Evergreen shrubs are amazing facer shrubs to hide the bare legs of your larger foundation plants.

For a solid low hedge, plant them 1 - 3 feet on center. You'll measure from the center of one shrub to the center of the next. As your budget allows, plant them closer together. They'll fill in faster for you! You can also try a staggered zig-zag to create a mass planting on a slope or a large bare patch. The plants will grow to create a low-maintenance groundcover.

Lustrous Green Foliage with Red Tips in Spring
Sophisticated Lance-Shaped Leaves
Dwarf Broad-Leaf Evergreen
Dense Ball-Shaped Plant
Fantastic Small Evergreen Hedge & Gorgeous in Containers!

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly It also performs beautifully in full sun all day long as well as displaying good shade tolerance! Gem Box® is an excellent alternative to Boxwood, especially in those areas that do not have quite so well-drained soils. Preferring moist acidic soils and appreciating winter watering. Just keep it weeded and fertilized with Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Premium Fertilizer in spring and mid-summer to support that inviting color all year round! A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill.

Full Sun to Part Shade
Most Moist Soil Types
Prune to Shape Late Winter
Nice Alternative to Boxwood
Deer Resistant

Every garden bed needs a strong, architectural anchor, and charming little Gem Box® Inkberry Holly fills the spot perfectly! Order enough to complete your project from Nature Hills Nursery today!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Gem Box® Inkberry Holly is an excellent choice among compact shrubs and works beautifully for creating neat hedges or foundation plantings. This versatile proven winners® selection joins our collection of low maintenance plants that provide year-round interest with minimal care. For best results with your holly plantings, check out our guide on Pruning Holly Plants For Hedges, Foundation or Screening and learn about Timing for Pruning Flowering Shrubs to keep your plants looking their best.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where to buy gem box inkberry holly?

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly is available at most garden centers and online nurseries as a Proven Winners® plant. This compact evergreen thrives in zones 5-9 and works well as a low hedge or foundation plant. Look for the 'SMNIGAB17' cultivar name to ensure you're getting the true dwarf variety.

What planting zones is Gem Box® Inkberry Holly hardy in?

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly thrives in USDA zones 5-9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates. This evergreen shrub handles both full sun and partial shade conditions well. Shop at Nature Hills for this versatile hedge and foundation plant.

Is Gem Box® Inkberry Holly deer resistant?

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly has good natural deer resistance due to its dense, glossy foliage that deer typically avoid. Like most hollies, the thick leaves aren't particularly palatable to browsing wildlife. Plant 1-3 feet apart in zones 5-9 for best results in deer-prone areas.

What size container will my Gem Box® Inkberry Holly arrive in?

Your Gem Box® Inkberry Holly will typically arrive in a 1-gallon container. This compact size establishes easily in zones 5-9 and allows for flexible spacing from 1-3 feet on center. Plant closer together for faster hedge fill-in as your budget allows.

Can Gem Box® Inkberry Holly tolerate wet or poorly draining soil?

Inkberry Holly naturally thrives in wet, poorly draining soils and even tolerates periodic flooding. This makes Gem Box® an excellent choice for problem areas where other evergreens struggle. Plant in zones 5-9 for best results, available at naturehills.com.

Will Gem Box® Inkberry Holly survive harsh winter conditions in my area?

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, handling winter temperatures down to -20°F. This broadleaf evergreen maintains its glossy dark green foliage year-round even in harsh conditions. Check your specific USDA zone to confirm compatibility with your local winter lows.

What are its water needs?

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly has moderate water needs and tolerates both moist and slightly dry conditions once established. This adaptable shrub in zones 5-9 appreciates consistent moisture during its first growing season. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, then allow good drainage between waterings.

Gem Box® Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17'