‘Densa’
Holly - Inkberry
Ilex glabra
'Densa'
- Native to North America
- Boxwood alternative
- Award winner
A hardy form of our native inkberry, 'Densa' offers glossy dark green foliage and a broad upright habit. It holds its foliage right down to the ground, never looking naked like some other cultivars. Grown primarily for its glossy foliage, this female selection may produce black berries if a male pollinator is in the vicinity.
Awards Gold Medal, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
USDA Zone 5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure Full sun, Part sun
Height 3 - 4'
Width 3 - 4'
Finish Time 1 season
Type Evergreen
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Green
Liner Sizes 2 1/4", 4"
General Care
Soil Does best in moist (even very moist), slightly acidic soils.
Pruning Naturally dense habit requires little pruning; may be trimmed after new growth has hardened off in late spring, though. Rejuvenate through hard pruning if it becomes leggy.
Uses Hedges; edgings; foundation plantings; specimen; containers; mass planting.
Growing Tips Tolerates shade well, but leaf color and overall foliage coverage is better with at least some sun. Grows most rapidly where moisture is consistently available.
Features: Evergreen, Native, Winter interest, Compact, Salt tolerant, Deer resistant
Filters: Botanical genus: Ilex, Common name: Holly - Inkberry, Retail program: Local Roots®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage
Features: Evergreen, Native, Winter interest, Compact, Salt tolerant, Deer resistant
Filters: Botanical genus: Ilex, Common name: Holly - Inkberry, Retail program: Local Roots®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage