Buy Now, Plant Later! Spring Pre-Orders Are Open

Free Shipping On Orders Over $199

Pre-Order Your Spring Garden Now

Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

Shamrock Inkberry

Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'

Regular price $6960
Out of stock

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry Protected

Plant Sentry™ Protected

Your order is protected by our compliance system that:

  • Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
  • Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
  • Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases

Learn more about Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
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

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Native, Evergreen, Wet Soils, Clay Tolerant, Deer-resistant, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Hedge/Screen, Salt Tolerant, and Drought resistant

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'
  • Height
    3-4 ft
  • Width
    3-4 ft
  • Growing Zones
    3-9
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Slow
  • Flower Color
    • White
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, HI, ID, MT, OR

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Give this holly at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to maintain that dense, compact shape you bought it for. While it tolerates partial shade, too little sun will cause the branches to open up and the center to thin out.
  • Soil: These plants love acidic soil rich in organic matter, similar to where azaleas or rhododendrons thrive. If you have heavy clay, mix in peat moss or compost to improve drainage, though Shamrock Inkberry is famously more tolerant of "wet feet" than other holly varieties.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, check soil moisture daily and water deeply twice a week to encourage roots to venture down into the native soil. Once established, Shamrock Inkberry has decent drought tolerance, but consistent moisture prevents the lower leaves from yellowing and dropping. If you see the foliage looking dull or drooping, it is a sign the plant needs a deep soak immediately.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter or early spring just before new green growth begins to emerge. This shrub blooms on new wood, but since it is grown primarily for its evergreen foliage, your main goal is maintaining density. If the plant starts to look "leggy" with bare stems at the bottom, do not be afraid to cut it back hard to stimulate lush new growth from the base.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, acid-loving plant fertilizer (like Holly-tone) in early spring as the ground thaws. This acidity boost helps the plant access nutrients in the soil and keeps the leaves a deep, glossy green. Avoid fertilizing after mid-summer because high nitrogen late in the season pushes soft growth that will get damaged by the first winter freeze.

Ideal as a Low Accent or Hedge

The Compact Inkberry 'Shamrock', Ilex glabra 'Shamrock,' is a handsome compact form of the native Inkberry with lustrous dark green leaves. It is slow growing and compact. 'Shamrock' tolerates wet sites.

'Shamrock' is a very nice compact inkberry that has new growth being a much brighter, glistening green, then maturing to the lustrous dark green color. It holds its leaves on the lower branches better than most Inkberry.

With maturity, it produces large amounts of dark purple to black colored berries; production really increases after the third year of growth.

This Inkberry plant is very useful as accent plantings, as well as for a maintained low growing hedge. Plant in fairly moist, acidic soil that is well drained; mulching recommended.

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

⚠ Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.