Proven Winners Inkberry Holly

About this plant

The 'Gem Box' Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra Color Choice Gem Box) is a superior alternative to traditional boxwood, offering a refined, dense, and naturally rounded form. Its small, dark green leaves remain vibrant throughout the year, providing consistent color and texture to your garden. This Proven Winners selection is celebrated for its excellent disease resistance and robust performance, making it a reliable choice for foundation plantings, low hedges, or even container arrangements. Unlike many hollies, 'Gem Box' is a male cultivar, meaning it will not produce the characteristic berries. This makes it a clean and low-maintenance option for those seeking year-round green without the fruit. Its slow to moderate growth habit ensures it maintains its neat shape with minimal pruning, further reducing upkeep. From A Cut Above, you can expect professionally grown specimens ready to thrive in your landscape. Our expert installation services ensure your 'Gem Box' Inkberry Holly is perfectly sited and planted for optimal health and long-term beauty, bringing sophisticated elegance to your outdoor space.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal pruning to maintain its tidy shape. Can be pruned in late winter or early spring if desired. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.