Ilex glabra
gallberry
Overview
Ilex glabra is a slow-growing evergreen shrub in the holly family, typically 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall and wide, spreading by root suckers into colonies. The smooth, spineless leaves are 0.75-2 inches (2-5 cm) long, oval, glossy dark green, with a few low teeth near the tip, and they hold through winter. Unlike many hollies its leaves lack spines. The species is dioecious; small greenish-white flowers open in late spring on separate male and female plants. Pollinated female plants bear round black berries about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across that ripen in fall and often persist into winter. Native to the coastal plain of eastern North America, it grows in damp, acidic soils of pine flatwoods, bogs, swamp edges, and sandy lowlands, tolerating wet ground and periodic flooding. With age the lower stems can become leggy and open. It supports honeybees, whose nectar is gathered as gallberry honey, and the berries feed birds. It tolerates shearing and recovers from hard pruning.
Native Range
Native to the coastal plain of eastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Texas. It grows in pine flatwoods, bogs, pocosins, swamp margins, and damp sandy lowlands.Suggested Uses
Ilex glabra is used for low hedges, foundation plantings, massed borders, rain gardens, and naturalized wet areas. The berries feed birds, and the flowers are a nectar source for bees. Compact cultivars are grown where a denser, lower form is wanted.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 8'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Small greenish-white flowers open in late spring, usually May to June, on separate male and female plants. They are easy to overlook but draw bees. On female plants, black berries follow and ripen in fall, holding into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Ilex glabra grows in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic, sandy or peaty soils, and tolerates wet ground, boggy sites, and short flooding. It needs steady moisture and grows well in acidic soil, where chlorosis is less likely. A female plant needs a male nearby for berries. The shrub spreads by suckers, which can be removed to limit colonies. It tolerates shearing and can be cut back hard to control legginess and renew dense growth.Pruning
Pruning is done in late winter or early spring before new growth, shearing to shape or cutting back hard to renew leggy plants. The shrub tolerates heavy pruning and resprouts. Removing suckers controls its spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons