Strongbox inkberry holly full#

Green industry professionals can do the same. Think of it like food: when a favorite item is unavailable or out of season, top chefs find a way to make gourmet meals with other ingredients. While we’re certainly working hard as an industry to find controls and more disease-resistant varieties, we’ve got to be ready to try new genera, too. There are plenty of reasons why boxwood Buxus is a landscape staple, but as it faces multiple pest and disease threats the horticulture world need to adapt. These days when it’s becoming harder to find plants, that’s a real benefit that your local nursery is hopefully taking advantage of. One final point in Ilex glabra’s favor: it’s way faster growing than boxwood.

Strongbox inkberry holly full#

They are both dense, well-branched varieties that avoid that bare-legged look that can plague other varieties, and welcome the heavy shearing that boxwood fans often enjoy.Įither will grow in full sun or part shade, and is hardy in USDA 5-9. They’re pretty similar although Strongbox® has larger leaves and may be a little more squat than Gem Box. Strongbox® (left) and Gem Box® (right) are two compact selections of our native Ilex glabra.

Strongbox Ilex glabra Gem Box Ilex glabra And then there’s the added bonus that it doesn’t stink! I’m a confessed crazy cat lady, but wow, sometimes a boxwood planting is overwhelming. This plant isn’t bothered at all by wet feet.

Full disclosure: it’s not quite as deer-resistant, and not quite as shade-tolerant, but it will do pretty well overall. Inkberry holly, ( Ilex glabra) is a great substitute for boxwood in many situations. Looking for a new kind of evergreen hedge? Even if you haven’t yet been affected by boxwood blight or the boxwood tree moth, you should be aware of those threats and be ready to pivot as needed.