Ilex glabra 'SMNIGAB17' Gembux® - Vermeerdering verboden!

Gembux®

Ilex

This new dwarf, ball-shaped evergreen plant has small, dainty, dark green leaves with attractive red tips during spring flush. Gembux® flowers early summer with dainty white flowers. A great alternative for boxwood that can be used as a small evergreen hedge, on it’s own in the garden or even in a container.
  • evergreen
  • boxwood alternative
  • compact

Features

Season of interest:
  • 3963 bloem wit
    3963 blad donkergroen
    spring
  • 3963 blad donkergroen(57)
    summer
  • 3963 blad donkergroen(58)
    autumn
Light requirement:
  • full sun
  • semi-shade
Height:
60-90 cm
Width:
60-90 cm
Uses:
border, low hedge, container
Pruning:
prune to shape late winter
Frost resistance:
-25°C
Soil type:
acidic, well-drained soil
Drought tolerance:
low - medium
  • Plant tips
  • Care instructions
  • Blog
planttips stap 1

1. Look at the label that comes with the plant or search for your plant on our website. Here you can see what light exposure the plant needs. This determines whether you should look for a sunny, semi-shady or shady spot for your plant.

2. Make sure the plant's root ball is moist before you plant it (e.g. immerse it in a bucket of water).

planttips stap 2

3. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot, but about 2-3 times as wide.

4. Mix the soil that came out of the hole with some mixed garden soil (you can buy this at a garden centre).

5. Scoop the soil at the bottom of the hole a few times to make it nice and airy.

planttips stap 3

6. Carefully remove the pot from the plant. 

7. Loosen the root system. You do this by running your fingers between the roots to loosen them. This is very important and ensures that the plant takes root properly.

8. Place the plant in the centre of the hole with the top of the root ball just above the surface. 

planttips stap 4

9. Fill the hole with the mixed garden soil and press the soil around the plant firmly with your hands. 

10. Water the plant. 

11. Apply a 5-7 cm layer of mulch (soil litter), but keep the branches or trunk clear. 

Watering needs

This plant needs regular water. The warmer and drier it is, the more water the plant needs.

Note! 
  1. Plants in pots always need regular watering. If the pot is in a warm or sunny spot, the plant requires extra water.
  2. Over-watering or prolonged extremely wet soil can cause root rot and thus affect the health of the plant.

Pruning information

This plant does not need pruning. You can remove any dead branches or, if desired, prune the plant into shape in late winter. Pruning is not necessary for optimal growth.

Want to know more about pruning?

More information

Fertilisation

This plant needs acidic soil. In case your soil is neutral or alkaline, regularly add acidic fertiliser like garden sulfer with aluminum added, to lower the pH of the soil. Check the fertiliser packaging for the correct dosage and application period.

Winter hardiness / frost resistance

In winter, this (semi-)evergreen does not go into complete hibernation like deciduous plants, but its growth does slow down considerably. During this dormant period, they need less water and nutrition, but they are more sensitive to frost and dehydration. Therefore, we recommend covering this plant with old branches and leaves during frost to better protect them from cold and drying out.

Note!
  1. Is the plant in a pot? Then it is more susceptible to frost: put the plant in a sheltered spot and in case of frost you can protect it by covering it, for instance with old branches and/or leaves or with a protective cloth.
  2.  Other factors such as soil type, drainage, snow cover, exposure to wind, winter, precipitation (or lack thereof) and temperature fluctuations also affect a plant's winter hardiness.
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November is the perfect month to prepare your garden for winter. With a few smart adjustments, you will not only protect your plants, but also provide a nice shelter for wildlife such as birds, hedgehogs and insects. And plant evergreen and winter flowering shrubs this month, for a garden that brings colour all year round. With these five tips, your garden will stay healthy, colourful and full of life, even in the cold winter months.
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For most shrubs, autumn is a good time to plant them.  It gives your plant a chance to take root and start growing ‘in line with the seasons’. Early spring is a good alternative. 

If you plant it in summer, be aware that the plant is not yet well rooted and therefore needs regular watering, especially during hot & dry periods.

Below you will find detailed instructions on how to plant your shrub.

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