Boxwood has become fundamental to formal garden design, but it also comes with many issues. Both box blight and the box tree caterpillar can completely strip its bark, leaving a weak, skeletal hedge that suddenly makes a pristine border look unloved. But, there is an alternative shrub that provides the same neat greenery with far less fuss: inkberry holly.
It's not just a boxwood alternative that provides the rich evergreen color and architectural shape, inkberry holly is native to North America, is pest and disease-resistant, and can be easily pruned for topiary and boundaries. Experts even note it's the shrub replacing boxwood in formal gardens because it thrives in poorer soils than box, making it much more versatile to work with.
So, if you're keen to create a formal garden in your yard but are nervous about the risk of boxwood, look no further. Here, alongside insights from experts, I share why inkberry holly (which is available to purchase from Fast-Growing Trees) is the alternative designers favor.
The Problem with Boxwood
'Boxwood is a staple of the formal garden where it provides stunning shape and structure,' says Juliet Howe, horticulturist and founder of Twigs Design.
'Unfortunately, pest issues such as boxwood blight (calonectria pseudonaviculata), a fungal disease that defoliates and kills boxwood, and, more recently, box tree moth, (cydalima perspectalis) have sent gardeners in search of boxwood alternatives,' she explains.
Anyone who has tried growing box knows the feeling of holding your breath when going to investigate why your boxwood is turning yellow.
One of the largest issues in recent years is the fact this evergreen shrub gets ruthlessly attacked by the box tree moth. As caterpillars, these destructive pests can fully defoliate the shrub, leaving it bare, weak, and in most cases, resulting in its death. If a neighbor has experienced a box moth problem, it's likely yours will also come under attack, so it's often not worth the risk of adding it to your yard.
Not only this, but boxwood commonly experiences box blight. This fungal disease turns the hedge brown, stems may dieback, and it can be incredibly hard (and time-consuming) to revive. This disease thrives in warm, humid conditions, and spreads via spores.
But, when healthy, boxwood brings that immaculate hedging key to formal garden design. It can be used to line paths, topiary, border edging, and even to create garden zones.
The fact its evergreen contributes hugely to providing a framework for the winter garden, it can be used to establish symmetry, and brings about the visual order at the core of this garden style.
With all of that being said, experts say there's one native plant that stands out as the shrub replacing boxwood in formal gardens across the US: inkberry holly.
Why Inkberry Holly
Inkberry holly, or Ilex glabra, is a member of the holly family that looks a little different to the classic holly bush (Ilex aquifolium). Rather than having spikey foliage, it has spineless, glossy, and dark green leaves.
'It supports wildlife while also handling moisture, salt and difficult conditions more gracefully than many alternatives,' Juliet describes.
Thriving across USDA zones 4-9, inkberry holly can grow in a wide range of soil types, including wet, poorly drained soils. Although, it does prefer slightly more acidic soils. If needed, you can use this Amazon soil test kit to find out more about your soil and make your soil more acidic.
'While less formal than traditional boxwood with its softer, slightly looser texture and structure, in many gardens it can thrive more easily, while ticking many of the formal garden boxes,' Juliet continues.
As its name suggests, the inkberry holly produces jet-black berries in fall, lasting into winter. It's one of the best native plants to feed birds in winter for this reason.
In spring, it has small, green-white blossoms that attract pollinators.
Just like boxwood, you can prune this holly bush to create geometric layouts and to cut topiary for the architectural formal garden look.
The Best Inkberry Holly Varieties for Formal-Style Gardens
'If using Ilex glabra in a formal garden, choose cultivars, 'Gem Box' or 'Strongbox'. These were bred specifically to have a more formal boxwood-like feel, holding onto their foliage closer to the ground,' says Juliet.
'Gem Box' inkberry holly (which is available on Amazon) is a popular choice because it's low-growing. It reaches just 2-3 feet in height, ideal for edging borders and paths.
''Gem Box' is a broad leaf native evergreen that remains compact. It's deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and grows well in part shade to full sun,' describes landscape designer Caroline Ervin.
'An added bonus is that the female plants will produce berries in the fall if its male pollinator Ilex glabra ‘Squeeze Box’ is planted within about 50 feet of the female plants,' she adds.
'Strongbox' inkberry holly (available at Nature Hills) is chosen for the same reason. This compact shrub also reaches just 2-3 feet and, unlike other inkberry varieties such as 'Shamrock', it retains its lower leaves as it matures, providing a clean green boundary in the garden.
'Shamrock' inkberry holly (which you can purchase from Amazon) is also a good option to consider. It's highly resilient, has a naturally mounding shape, and takes to pruning well without experiencing blight.
Shop Inkberry Holly Essentials
Use these hedge shears to shape your inkberry holly. They can be adjusted to reach taller hedges if needed.
These long sleeve gardening gloves are thorn-proof to protect your hands and arms when tending to woody plants.
This slow-release fertilizer is ideal for acidic-loving plants, like inkberry holly. Sprinkle granules at the base of the plant and gently work it into the soil surface.
One of the biggest perks of inkberry holly is the fact it's a hedge plant that thrives on neglect, so it doesn't require much upkeep. It's also a great evergreen to stop weeds, thanks to its dense low-branching growth that suppresses them.
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