A sort of holly, inkberry bush (Ilex glabra) is famous because of its dark black berries that will help lighten the garden through the winter. It is an evergreen shrub grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 that typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall with a great rounded shape. This specific bush, however, tends to become leggy with green increase just on the upper half. To block your inkberry from becoming an eyesore in your landscape, to improve its overall look and also to keep it healthy, pruning is a must.
Use sharp hand clippers to gently trim an inkberry bush to shape and also to control its dimensions before it begins to grow again in late winter or early spring. The cap of the tree ought to be narrower than the base to permit sunlight to penetrate into the arms. Otherwise, the lower branches will decrease their leaf and the tree will look leggy.
Rejuvenate an inkberry bush that’s woody or leggy at the bottom. In late winter or early spring, cut on the whole shrub down so it stands approximately 18 to 24 inches tall. You may need a pair of loppers or a pruning saw to effectively remove thick stems without tearing them. It may take a few years to get the inkberry to grow back to its original dimensions, but it is going to look much healthier.
Remove limbs that are diseased, dead or insect-infested to maintain an inkberry bush in great health. Conduct this type of pruning as needed, cutting the branches back to a wholesome part of the tree. If your bush looks less than desirable following pruning, in late winter or early spring cut it back hard to replenish it and then restore it to its original form.