Densa Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra 'Densa'

Nature Hills Nursery

Compact Densa Form Stays Dense and Full from Ground to Tip Year-Round
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Pollution Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring

$84²⁵

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the densest foliage and best berry production, plant in full sun, which is six or more hours of direct light daily. While it handles partial shade well, the growth will be slightly more open and less compact than those grown in brighter spots.
Soil: These hollies thrive in moist, acidic soils rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost or peat moss to improve drainage, as they dislike sitting in stagnant water but love a consistently damp environment.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Densa Inkberry Holly deeply twice a week to ensure the root system anchors properly. Once established, this shrub is remarkably adaptable but prefers consistent moisture to maintain its glossy green color. If the soil stays too dry for long periods, you may notice the lower leaves dropping, which leaves the base of the plant looking thin.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety blooms on new wood, the best time to prune is in early spring before new growth begins. Use a "selective thinning" approach by cutting back the longest stems to a side branch to encourage a rounded, bushy shape. Regular light pruning keeps the plant from becoming leggy and maintains that characteristic "boxwood look" without the pest issues.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, like an Holly-tone, in early spring just as the buds start to swell. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. Doing so forces soft, tender growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost, leading to winter dieback.

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

Sophisticated year-round greenery with leathery foliage and glossy green leaves on a compact, informal shrub! Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra 'Densa') are mid-sized broad-leaved evergreen with lighter foliage that looks handsome and invigorating year-round.

Maintaining good branching right to the ground, Inkberry Holly always looks refined and full! Prune to any shape or size, these wonderfully rounded shrubs always look divine. The selection 'Densa' is a compact form of the species growing rounded and dense, growing up to a 4-7 foot range. Older plants that are planted in slightly acidic soils will live longer and grow a bit larger. This selection is easily maintained at the smaller end of the size range with pruning.

Densa is a female cultivar that is an easy-care plant, grown for lustrous foliage, tiny white flowers, and winter berries that are black as ink, but only if there is a male pollinator Inkberry planted nearby! Growing with broad, upright branches, the glossy, lance-shaped leaves offer a year-round sublime-green sheen. Plus, it is a high-style look to your garden beds or borders, without the price tag!

Planting and Application:

Densa brings sublime quality to containers and planters! Try them in large pots along your paths for height, or flanking the start of a garden room. Stand a pair of lovely sentries at your entry to welcome visitors year-round.

Working as backdrops in Formal beds as well as informal Cottage gardens! Evergreen shrubs are always amazing facer plantings to hide the bare legs of your larger trees and shrubs! Fringe a ring of these around your fire-pits, pergolas or garden swing to create a private outdoor space you can't wait to get lost in! Thick privacy and relaxing textures whisk the rest of the world away.

Give your garden spaces the spa treatment by adding seclusion with these soothing plants around your seating areas or meditation spots. The 4 season greenery makes Inkberry fantastic foundation plantings and anchors to other garden beds. Adding an amazing high-style touch to your landscape without all the work!

Create garden vignettes by planting a curved row of these jewel-tone shrubs around a focal point, your garden seating or to highlight an urn or sculpture!

These plants will grow together to create a low-maintenance groundcover on slopes and to soften retaining walls. Form property definition, or line formal walkways and paths with verdant color all year! Try a staggered zig-zag to create a mass planting on a slope or a large bare patch for erosion control and fill hard-to-mow areas in greenery!

Informal Glossy Dark-Green Broad-Leaf Evergreen
Leathery Sophisticated Lance-Shaped Foliage
Inconspicuous White Blooms
Dense Rounded Shrub - Native Alternative to Boxwood
Hardy Versatile & Four-Season Interest
Female Shrub With Sparse Ink-Black Berries When Pollinated
Fantastic Foundation or Hedge Plant

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Densa Inkberry Holly likes full sun and tolerates a few hours of shade a day, making them versatile for use beneath ornamental trees, patios, and foundations. Not particular about soil type, Inkberry are hardy compact plants in growing zones 5 through 9. Just be sure these don't dry out! Inkberry Hollies are excellent alternatives to Boxwood, especially in areas without well-drained soils. This plant appreciates regular water, so a generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. It is very important that the soil is slightly acidic, (lower pH) and appreciates winter watering. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring.

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

All landscapes benefit from a strong, architectural anchor, such as the refined Densa Inkberry Holly! Order enough to complete your project from Nature Hills Nursery today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How big does inkberry holly get?

Densa Inkberry Holly typically reaches 4-7 feet tall and wide at maturity. This compact cultivar maintains dense, rounded growth with good branching to the ground. You can easily keep it smaller through regular pruning if desired.

What USDA planting zones is Densa Inkberry Holly hardy in?

Densa Inkberry Holly thrives in USDA zones 4-9, making it adaptable to most temperate climates. This hardy evergreen tolerates both cold winters and warm summers while maintaining its glossy foliage year-round. Shop at Nature Hills for this reliable shrub.

What type of soil does Densa Inkberry Holly prefer, and does it tolerate clay or sandy soils?

Densa Inkberry Holly thrives in slightly acidic soils, which help older plants live longer and grow larger in the 4-7 foot range. It adapts well to various soil types including clay and sandy conditions. For best results, amend heavy clay with organic matter to improve drainage.

How often should I water Densa Inkberry Holly, especially until it's established?

Water newly planted Densa Inkberry Holly deeply 2-3 times per week for the first growing season. Once established, this drought-tolerant shrub needs minimal supplemental watering. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches deep - water when dry at that level.

When is the best time to prune Densa Inkberry Holly to maintain its shape?

Late winter to early spring is ideal for pruning Densa Inkberry Holly, just before new growth begins. This timing allows the shrub to recover quickly and maintain its naturally dense, rounded form. Since it responds well to shaping and can be maintained at 4-7 feet, prune annually to keep it at your desired size. Find quality Densa Inkberry Holly available at naturehills.com.

Is Densa Inkberry Holly deer-resistant?

Densa Inkberry Holly is generally deer-resistant due to its leathery, glossy foliage that deer typically avoid. The tough texture and evergreen nature make it an excellent choice for areas with deer pressure. Plant it as foundation screening or border plantings where deer browsing is a concern.

How does it handle extreme heat?

Densa Inkberry Holly tolerates heat well once established, though it prefers some afternoon shade in hottest climates. The dense, leathery foliage helps it retain moisture during summer stress. Water deeply during heat waves and consider mulching to keep roots cool.