Green Magic Inkberry Holly

Name: Green Magic Inkberry Holly
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
Price: 99.83 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Ilex glabra 'Green Magic'

Nature Hills Nursery

$99⁸³

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This evergreen thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. While it handles shade well, more sun results in a denser, tighter growth habit and more vigorous foliage.
Soil: It prefers moist, acidic soils rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay or alkaline soil, incorporate peat moss or elemental sulfur to lower the pH and improve drainage to prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Inkberry Holly twice a week to keep the root ball consistently moist as it establishes itself. Once mature, this plant is remarkably adaptable to wet feet but can also handle occasional dry spells. Inconsistent watering during heat waves can lead to "leggy" growth or bottom leaf drop, so maintain a steady moisture level to keep the shrub lush from top to bottom.

Pruning Tips

Inkberry Holly blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is in early spring before the fresh growth begins. Use sharp bypass pruners to thin out the oldest stems or "box" the shrub into a formal shape, which encourages the plant to push out thick new foliage. Think of this like a haircut that stimulates a growth spurt, ensuring the plant stays full and avoids a sparse appearance at the base.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, acid-forming fertilizer labeled for hollies or azaleas in early spring. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this triggers soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season growth is easily damaged by winter kill, which can compromise the plant's overall health and shape.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 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

Kick Your Landscape Up a Notch - Green Magic® Inkberry Holly!

Glossy Luxurious Foliage
Broad-Leaved Evergreen - Year-Round Sheen
Wonderfully Rounded Shape
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Small Whitish-Yellow Blooms!
Four-Season Interest
Female Shrub - Has Showy Black Berries in Fall
Pollinators Love Them & Birds Too
Requires Male Ilex glabra Nearby For Berries
Deer Resistant
Compact & Mid-Sized
Lovely Foundations & Hedges

Time for something different in the world of evergreens! The verdant hues of Green Magic® Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra 'Green Magic') keep their glossy, bright broadleaf evergreen, wide-spreading presence, and so much character year-round!

Green Magic® is a female Inkberry cultivar that's easy-care with lustrous foliage, attractive yellowish-white flowers. While insignificant to us, the flowers are irresistible to beneficial pollinators. Showy winter berries, that when pollinated by a nearby male, are black as ink, hence the name of these fantastic Holly!

Selected for its tight compact habit and glossy foliage, Inkberry maintains branching right to the ground, and always looks classy and full!

Pollinators and birds are drawn to the blooms and berries, making Inkberry a vital food source and wildlife plant! However, deer usually avoid these plants.

How to Use Green Magic® Inkberry Holly In The Landscape

Green Magic® remains neat and tidy, and a great mounded structural accent in any garden bed!

Glossy, lance-shaped leaves bring a high-style look to your garden beds or borders, without the designer price tag! Try them along a walkway or flanking your entry for a warm welcome.

Fitting into urban and formal beds as well as they do informal country plantings! Evergreen shrubs are amazing facer shrubs or curb-appeal kicking foundation plants. You'll get loads of berries on these female plants if a male Inkberry Holly is nearby. One male Ilex glabra pollinates 9-10 female Inkberry, therefore producing the black fruit that birds love!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Green Magic® Inkberry Holly performs beautifully in full sun all day long! Tolerating a few hours of shade a day, especially in the hotter of its USDA growing zones 5-9. Green Magic® is an excellent alternative to a Boxwood, especially in those areas that do not have as well-drained soils.

This native plant will appreciate regular water, weeding, and an acid-loving plant fertilizer so you can enjoy 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.

That steady year-round green just looks so handsome and the dainty dark-green leaves retain that glossy sheen! Every garden bed needs a strong, architectural anchor like the charming Green Magic® Inkberry Holly! Order enough to complete your project from Nature Hills Nursery today!

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide does Green Magic Inkberry Holly get at maturity?

Green Magic Inkberry Holly reaches 4-6 feet tall and wide at maturity, forming a naturally rounded, compact shape. This mid-sized shrub maintains dense branching right to the ground without pruning. Space plants 4-5 feet apart for hedging or use as a standalone foundation accent.

What are the care requirements for Green Magic Inkberry Holly, including watering and pruning?

Green Magic Inkberry Holly is remarkably low maintenance and easy care. Water regularly during establishment, then it becomes quite drought tolerant. Prune lightly in late winter if needed to maintain shape. Shop at Nature Hills for this deer-resistant evergreen that thrives with minimal attention.

Does Green Magic Inkberry Holly produce berries, and are they toxic to dogs or pets?

Green Magic Inkberry Holly produces showy black berries in fall when a male Ilex glabra is planted nearby for pollination. The berries are mildly toxic to dogs and pets if consumed in large quantities. Plant male and female varieties together for berry production, and monitor pets around the shrubs during fruiting season.

Is Green Magic Inkberry Holly deer-resistant?

Yes, Green Magic Inkberry Holly is deer resistant. Deer typically avoid these evergreen shrubs, making them an excellent choice for gardens in areas with deer pressure. Plant them as foundation shrubs or hedges where deer browsing is a concern for reliable, glossy foliage year-round.

What is the best time of year to plant Green Magic Inkberry Holly, like in fall or September?

Fall planting is ideal for Green Magic Inkberry Holly, giving roots time to establish before winter. September through October works perfectly in most zones. Plant now for a head start on spring growth - available at naturehills.com.

What type of sunlight does Green Magic Inkberry Holly need—full sun, partial shade, or shade?

Green Magic Inkberry Holly thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptable evergreen performs well with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily but tolerates some shade. For best foliage density and berry production, plant in a location with morning sun and afternoon protection in hot climates.