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Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra 'Squeeze Box'
Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly is a smart evergreen asset — narrow, upright, native, and structured. Whether you’re creating a refined hedge, a vertical accent, or a clean evergreen border, this male inkberry delivers elegant form and functional performance — with minimal fuss and maximum reliability.
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Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly
A Tall, Upright Native Evergreen for Structure & Style
Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly brings upright elegance and evergreen appeal to landscapes where space is limited and structure is essential. With a mature size of approximately 4–6 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide, its pyramidal form fits beautifully between foundations, along narrow garden borders, or as a vertical accent in mixed beds.
The dense, fine-textured foliage remains lustrous year-round, providing winter interest and a crisp backdrop for other shrubs and perennials. Because it is a male variety, it produces no fruit, offering a tidy, clean appearance without dropped berries.
Designed to Pollinate Female Inkberry Hollies & Provide Evergreen Utility
Beyond its handsome form, Squeeze Box serves an important horticultural role: it is a male pollinator for female inkberry hollies, such as Gem Box Holly and Strongbox. Planting a Squeeze Box within 50-75 feet of female inkberries ensures berry production for birds and adds to the landscape's interest.
Even if used alone, this shrub stands out. It tolerates moist to average soils, adapts to full sun or part shade, and is native to USDA Zones 5-9 — making it resilient in many garden settings. With its deer resistance and low-maintenance habit, Squeeze Box is a wise choice for modern, functional landscapes.
Premium Performance with Practical Care
Because Squeeze Box is native, it better handles the fluctuations in soil moisture, temperature, and sun exposure compared to many traditional boxwood alternatives. It performs best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and benefits from partial to full sun exposure for optimal foliage density.
Minimal pruning is required; trim lightly after flowering if a tailored shape is desired. Its compact, upright habit and hardy nature make it an outstanding evergreen for low-maintenance gardens.
Ideal for Hedges, Narrow Borders & Specimen Use
Use the Squeeze Box to create a narrow evergreen hedge in areas of limited space. Its upright 2-3′ width allows for tighter planting than wider spreading shrubs, without sacrificing year-round green privacy.
Alternatively, plant as a standalone specimen in a modern landscape, container, or rock garden to showcase its elegant form and fine foliage. Because it is a male variety, it won’t bear berries — making it ideal for a neat, tidy appearance in formal landscapes.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 Feet |
| Mature width: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Classification: | Native Evergreen Shrub |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Foliage: | Green |
| Soil Condition: | Moist, acidic to slightly acidic, well-drained |
| Water Require: | Average to consistent moisture |
| Resistance: | Native, deer resistant, good for hedges |
| Landscape Use: | Specimen, narrow hedge, foundation planting, container |
How to Care for Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Squeeze Box Inkberry Holly for years to come!
How should I plant Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly?
Choose a location with good sun (ideally 4–6 hours or more) or part shade for optimum foliage density. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball yet no deeper than the root ball’s top sits. Place the shrub so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill and water deeply to settle. Apply a 2–3″ layer of mulch around the base (keeping it away from the trunk) to retain soil moisture and moderate root temperatures. For hedges, space plants ~2–3′ apart center-to-center for a dense evergreen screen.
How often should I water Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly after planting?
For the first growing season, water regularly (2-3 times per week depending on weather and soil) to help roots establish. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged — though inkberries tolerate moist conditions better than some evergreens. In subsequent years once established, reduce watering frequency. While it tolerates some drought, prolonged dry soil especially in winter can lead to browning of foliage, so occasional watering in dry spells is wise.Water your new Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly several times per week during the first growing season to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. For a new plant, check the soil and water deeply whenever the top few inches feel dry. Once established, it will require less frequent watering, though you should water during long dry spells.
When should I fertilize Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly?
In early spring, apply a slow-release evergreen fertilizer or a granular shrub fertilizer according to label instructions. This supports strong new growth and maintains dark green foliage. For most landscapes, one application is sufficient. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications late in the season, as that may encourage tender new growth vulnerable to winter damage.
When and how should I prune Squeeze Box® Inkberry Holly?
Because of its naturally tight, upright habit, minimal pruning is required. If shaping is desired, prune just after flowering (typically late spring) before new growth hardens off. Avoid heavy trimming late in the season to prevent new shoots from freezing. A light annual clip is usually all that’s needed to maintain form.
