Images Depict Mature Plants
Nordic Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra 'Chamzin'
Nordic Inkberry Holly offers year-round beauty with its dense, glossy green foliage and compact growth habit, making it perfect for low hedges, foundation plantings, and mixed borders. Its deer-resistant nature and adaptability to various soil types make it an ideal, low-maintenance alternative to boxwoods in the landscape.
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Nordic Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra 'Nordic') is a versatile, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth habit and vibrant, glossy green foliage. Growing to a height of 3 to 4 feet with a spread of 3 to 4 feet, this hardy shrub offers a compact, rounded form that makes it perfect for use in foundation plantings, low hedges, or as an accent in mixed borders. The small, boxwood-like leaves retain their color throughout the year, providing year-round structure and interest to any landscape. With its attractive, fine-textured foliage, Nordic Inkberry Holly is an excellent alternative to boxwoods, particularly in gardens that require a hardy and low-maintenance evergreen.
Nordic Inkberry Holly thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is highly adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and is tolerant of both sandy and clay soils, making it suitable for a wide range of garden settings. This inkberry variety is known for its resilience in challenging conditions, including wet areas, which makes it an ideal choice for rain gardens and areas prone to occasional flooding. In late spring, Nordic Inkberry Holly produces small white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by dark berries in the fall that provide food for birds, adding seasonal interest to your landscape.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Nordic Inkberry Holly is deer-resistant, making it a dependable choice for gardens where deer browsing is a concern. Its compact size and low-maintenance nature make it easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its neat shape. Whether used as a formal hedge, a foundation plant, or in mass plantings, Nordic Inkberry Holly brings lush, evergreen beauty to your garden throughout the year. Its adaptability, resilience, and year-round color make Nordic Inkberry Holly an excellent choice for enhancing any landscape's visual appeal and functionality.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Mature width: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Classification: | Broad leaved evergreen shrub |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Habit: | Densely branched; rounded |
| Foliage: | Green |
| Pruning Season: | Prune in late spring to maintain shape |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Require: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as in the mixed border, foundations, or planted in mass. Perfect for use as a mid-sized evergreen privacy screen |
How to Care for Nordic Inkberry Holly
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Nordic Inkberry Holly for years to come!
How Do I Plant Nordic Inkberry Holly Shrubs?
To plant Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs, begin by selecting a location that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained, slightly acidic soil. These conditions will help promote healthy growth and ensure vibrant, glossy green foliage throughout the year. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth to give the roots plenty of space to spread and establish. Place the shrub in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil to encourage proper drainage and prevent root rot. Backfill the hole with a mixture of native soil and organic compost to improve soil structure, then water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, but keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot. When planting multiple Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs for a hedge or border, space them about 3 to 4 feet apart, measuring from the center of each plant. This spacing allows the shrubs to grow together, forming a dense and attractive hedge without overcrowding. During the first growing season, it is important to water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist, which will help establish a strong root system. Once established, Nordic Inkberry Holly is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate occasional dry spells. By following these planting guidelines, your Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs will thrive, creating a beautiful, lush evergreen addition to your landscape that provides year-round beauty and structure.
How Do I Water Nordic Inkberry Holly Shrubs?
To properly water Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs, focus on deep and consistent watering, particularly during the first year after planting to help establish a healthy root system. Water the shrub deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is moistened to a depth of about 6 to 8 inches. This deep watering will encourage strong root growth and make the plant more resilient to drought in the future. During periods of extreme heat or drought, you may need to increase the frequency of watering to ensure the soil does not dry out completely. Always water at the base of the shrub, avoiding wetting the foliage, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Adding a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub helps retain moisture and keep the soil cool, reducing the need for frequent watering. Once Nordic Inkberry Holly is well-established, it becomes more tolerant of occasional dry spells and requires less frequent watering. However, during prolonged dry periods or especially hot weather, supplemental watering every 10 to 14 days can help keep the foliage lush and healthy. Regularly check the soil moisture by digging a few inches down—if it feels dry to the touch, it's time to water. It is crucial to avoid overwatering, as these shrubs prefer well-drained soil and can suffer from root rot if kept too wet. By providing proper watering, your Nordic Inkberry Holly will maintain its dense, glossy green foliage, adding a stunning, low-maintenance evergreen element to your garden throughout the year.
How should I fertilizer my Nordic Inkberry Holly Shrubs?
To fertilize Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth starts to emerge. A fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is ideal for promoting healthy root development, lush foliage, and vigorous growth throughout the growing season. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the shrub, ensuring that it is kept at least a few inches away from the trunk to prevent root burn. After applying the fertilizer, water the area thoroughly to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the root zone. This spring feeding will provide essential nutrients to maintain the health, color, and density of your Nordic Inkberry Holly. If your Nordic Inkberry Holly is planted in nutrient-poor soil, consider adding an additional light feeding in mid-summer to support continued growth and vitality. Organic compost or well-rotted manure can also be used as a natural fertilizer to improve soil structure and provide a steady release of nutrients over time. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive and weak growth, making the plant more vulnerable to pests and diseases. By fertilizing your Nordic Inkberry Holly properly, you ensure that it maintains its compact, dense form and glossy green foliage, providing year-round beauty and structure to your landscape with minimal maintenance.
When should I prune my Nordic Inkberry Holly Shrubs?
Nordic Inkberry Holly shrubs should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This timing allows the shrub to recover quickly and encourages healthy, vigorous growth throughout the season. Pruning at this time helps to shape the shrub, remove any dead or damaged branches, and promote a denser form. Start by using clean, sharp pruning shears to cut away any broken or diseased branches, which improves air circulation and reduces the risk of pests or diseases. If your Nordic Inkberry Holly is being used as a formal hedge or border, light pruning in early spring will help maintain its neat, rounded appearance while encouraging new growth. For ongoing maintenance, you can perform light trimming throughout the growing season to keep the Nordic Inkberry Holly looking tidy and well-shaped. However, avoid heavy pruning late in the growing season, as this can stimulate new growth that may not have enough time to harden before winter and could be susceptible to frost damage. A light touch is usually all that's required to maintain the naturally compact shape of Nordic Inkberry Holly, allowing it to provide year-round interest with minimal maintenance. By pruning at the right time, you ensure that your Nordic Inkberry Holly remains healthy, dense, and vibrant, providing lush green foliage that enhances the structure and beauty of your landscape throughout the year.
