Ilex glabra Forever Emerald™ – Inkberry

Inkberry planted in the landscape tends to remain not as compact as the nursery tag would imply – even some of the newer, more compact varieties. Forever Emerald™ may change that. In 1988 Jack Alexander collected 38 cuttings from 12 different plants growing in a seaside barren among the rocks of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, never knowing whether they would be truly compact as the coastal environment rendered them as crevice dwellers. Within this group, Jack found one with compact habit, small dark green leaves, prolific flowers and black fruits. It has a mounded habit with branches hugging the ground. Even at 22 years of age the plant is only 48”H x 60”W, considerably more compact than other “compact” varieties like ‘Compacta,’ ‘Densa’ and ‘Shamrock.’