Anonymous wrote:Our builder put in inkberries and I pulled them out two years later. Got really bare around the bottom. They're not actually boxwood alternatives. DNR.

You need the nativar/cultivar version vs the straight species to avoid this, like 'Shamrock'.

OP here - Wow, good to know re inkberries! I’m loving the oval leaves, density, and bright green new growth on the green beauty boxwoods. Hope they stay healthy! I’ll be keeping an eye on them

Had inkberries at my old house before one died off and I dug out the rest. They can get tall with a bare area with no leaves at the bottom.

Our builder put in inkberries and I pulled them out two years later. Got really bare around the bottom. They're not actually boxwood alternatives. DNR.

I know, I may regret it but I just had to give it a try. The Green Beauty is listed by the MD Ag. Dep’t as “resistant” to boxwood blight, so will keep fingers crossed!

I thought this was handy:

https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/BoxwoodBlightImportance_ID_Mgmt.pdf

Most susceptible
B. sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’
B. sinica var. insularis ‘Justin Brouwers’
Susceptible
B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Morris Dwarf’
B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Morris Midget’
B. sempervirens ‘Jensen’
B. sempervirens ‘Marginata’ , Buxus X ‘Glencoe’ (Chicagoland Green)
B. sempervirens ‘American’
B. sempervirens ‘Elegantissima
Moderately
susceptible
Buxus X ‘Green Mound’, Buxus X ‘Conroe’ (Gordo) B. microphylla ‘Green Pillow’
B. microphylla ‘Grace Hendrick Phillips’
B. microphylla ‘Jim Stauffer’, Buxus X ‘Green Mountain’
Tolerant
B. microphylla ‘Winter Gem’ , B. sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’, B. sempervirens ‘Fastigiata’, Buxus ‘Green Gem’, B. microphylla ‘John Baldwin’
Resistant
B. microphylla ‘Golden Dream’
B. harlandii, B. sinica var. insularis ‘Nana’ B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Green Beauty’

Ouch, wrong call, OP.

Anonymous wrote:Update - I went to American Plant this weekend (no time for trips further afield). They had gem box inkberry, but when I compared them to some of the boxwoods, it was no contest for me. I couldn’t resist the boxwood shrubs — they were even exactly the same price! I bought green beauty, which is allegedly more resistant to boxwood blight. I hope that’s true...

Nope it's not. But the garden stores love you - you'll be back in 2 years so the ROE is great.

Update - I went to American Plant this weekend (no time for trips further afield). They had gem box inkberry, but when I compared them to some of the boxwoods, it was no contest for me. I couldn’t resist the boxwood shrubs — they were even exactly the same price! I bought green beauty, which is allegedly more resistant to boxwood blight. I hope that’s true...

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! That’s exactly what I need! Some foundation plantings that are evergreen through fall/winter. But am now wondering if cicadas would feed on these roots or lay eggs in inkberry shrubs??

We've been through two cicada events and they never did any significant damage.

One thing about inkberries: They will grow quite large, but take well to cutting back - even rather drastically.

Thanks! That’s exactly what I need! Some foundation plantings that are evergreen through fall/winter. But am now wondering if cicadas would feed on these roots or lay eggs in inkberry shrubs??

Just put some in a for a native foundation planting! They have the straight species and a couple cultivars at Native By Design in Alexandria, but I think a lot of the bigger nurseries carry them too.

That’s good to know! Thanks. Will have to go check them out at a garden center this weekend.

I find them a bit thin. We chose them because they were cheaper so they did what we wanted them to do, but I didn't love them.

Yes they are nice. Some of the commercial varieties come only as males and you need a male and a female for berries if that’s important to you.

I was thinking of using these in front beds. We have a bunch of soft touch Holly, planted last fall. I was considering using more, but also noticed inkberry as an option. Native too! Any input?