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Southern Living Plant Collection

Red Sky Ilex

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$36.98
  • Evergreen with glossy, dark green foliage with a red hue
  • Matures to 4-6' wide by 5-6' tall
  • Hardy in USDA Zones 5 - 9
  • Plant in full sun to part shade
Pot size

Description

Looking for a stunning plant that will add a pop of color and texture to your landscape? Look no further than Red Sky™ Holly (Ilex crenata Hybrid ‘RutHol8’) from the Southern Living Plant Collection.

This evergreen shrub boasts glossy, dark green foliage with a unique, bold red tint that stands out in any setting. The tiny leaves have a serrated edge, giving the plant an attractive, textured appearance that adds visual interest to your garden or yard. Its upright appearance is similar to the traditional sky pencil holly, but the red tint in its foliage adds more visual interest.

Red Sky Pencil Holly is also incredibly low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those who want to enjoy their plants without much fuss. It's drought-tolerant once established to handle hot, dry weather without constant watering. And with its slow-growing nature, you won't have to worry about it taking over your yard or requiring constant pruning. It's also deer-resistant, so you can enjoy its beauty without worrying about it being eaten by wildlife. So, if you're looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for plant that adds color and texture to your landscape, consider Red Sky Holly from Southern Living Plants.

Red Sky Pencil Holly Care

How much sun does Red Sky Pencil Holly require?

Plant your Sky Pencil Holly in a location that receives partial to full sunlight. It tolerates shade but prefers some direct sunlight each day. It thrives in USDA Zones 6-9.

Watering Your Holly

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply and thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry. During hot and dry periods, provide additional watering to prevent drought stress. Be careful not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing You Red Sky Ilex

Feed your Red Sky Pencil Holly in early spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer formulated for evergreen shrubs.
Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for proper application rates and methods.

Pruning your ilex crenata

Prune your Sky Pencil Holly in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. You can also lightly prune to maintain its desired shape and size, as well as encourage denser growth. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can disrupt the plant's natural form.

Care & Use

Getting Started: Understanding Your New Plant

Review your plant's information on our website or the tag that comes with it. Be mindful of sunlight preferences, soil type, and spacing needs.

Our plants are adaptable but grow best in the correct USDA Zones. Click here to learn more about your USDA Zone.

Planting Instructions

Dig a Hole

First, dig a hole three times the width of the root ball of your plant. This makes it easier for the root system to spread out quickly. Dig the hole deep enough that your plant will sit level with or slightly above the ground around it.

Amend Your Soil

Mix your native soil with rich gardening soil to provide extra nutrients and support plant growth. If your soil is clay-heavy, we recommend mixing your native clay soil with equal parts of Pine Bark mulch to improve drainage and the overall breathability of your soil.

Place Your Plant

Examine the roots. If they appear tightly bound, gently coax them apart; this ensures they can spread into the new soil. Place your plant in the hole so the top of the rootball is even with the surrounding soil—Backfill around it with the amended soil mixture. The roots need access to oxygen for your plant to thrive, so do not cover the rootball; place soil around it.

Mulch Your Plants

Top the soil beneath your plant with 3-4 inches of mulch to help it retain moisture. Be careful not to cover the rootball - your new plants roots need access to oxygen.

Water Your Plant

Soak the plant with a hose afterward to hydrate the plant, as well as get the soil and mulch situated. Develop a regular watering schedule based on your plant's needs and local weather patterns. Remember, over watering is just as, if not more, harmful than under watering.

Spacing Recommendations

Red Sky (Ilex) Holly Spacing Recommendations

Space Your Red Sky (Ilex) Holly 2-3 ft apart to form an evergreen hedge or natural privacy barrier using the shrubs. If you are looking to cover more ground placing them 4 feet apart of more may be more suitable for your needs. The slender, tall growth habit makes these unique plants multi-functional.

  • Scientific Name
    Ilex crenata Hybrid ‘RutHol8’
  • Hardiness Zone
    6, 7, 8, 9
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun to Part Shade
  • Evergreen or Deciduous
    Evergreen
  • Features
    Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
  • Feature Color
    Green
  • Uses
    Accent, Foundation Planting, Hedge, Privacy Planting, Specimen
  • Water Needs
    Medium
  • Bloom Season
    None

Growing Zones : 6, 7, 8, and 9

Map of USDA Zones 6-9
Southern Living Plant Collection Nandinas planted in a container with heucherella in front of a fireplace

Southern Living Plants

A collection of shrubs, trees, and perennials selected by plant experts to thrive in the heat of the South. Find traditional varieties like camellias mixed with new landscape favorites like agapanthus. These varieties have been bred to tackle landscape challenges specific to the region.

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2 Gallon Red Sky Holly for sale with red tinted foliage and upright growth habit similar to Sky Pencil Holly. In a brown southern living plant collection container on a white background
Southern Living Plant Collection

Red Sky Ilex

$36.98

Looking for a stunning plant that will add a pop of color and texture to your landscape? Look no further than Red Sky™ Holly (Ilex crenata Hybrid ‘RutHol8’) from the Southern Living Plant Collection.

This evergreen shrub boasts glossy, dark green foliage with a unique, bold red tint that stands out in any setting. The tiny leaves have a serrated edge, giving the plant an attractive, textured appearance that adds visual interest to your garden or yard. Its upright appearance is similar to the traditional sky pencil holly, but the red tint in its foliage adds more visual interest.

Red Sky Pencil Holly is also incredibly low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those who want to enjoy their plants without much fuss. It's drought-tolerant once established to handle hot, dry weather without constant watering. And with its slow-growing nature, you won't have to worry about it taking over your yard or requiring constant pruning. It's also deer-resistant, so you can enjoy its beauty without worrying about it being eaten by wildlife. So, if you're looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for plant that adds color and texture to your landscape, consider Red Sky Holly from Southern Living Plants.

Red Sky Pencil Holly Care

How much sun does Red Sky Pencil Holly require?

Plant your Sky Pencil Holly in a location that receives partial to full sunlight. It tolerates shade but prefers some direct sunlight each day. It thrives in USDA Zones 6-9.

Watering Your Holly

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply and thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry. During hot and dry periods, provide additional watering to prevent drought stress. Be careful not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing You Red Sky Ilex

Feed your Red Sky Pencil Holly in early spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer formulated for evergreen shrubs.
Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for proper application rates and methods.

Pruning your ilex crenata

Prune your Sky Pencil Holly in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. You can also lightly prune to maintain its desired shape and size, as well as encourage denser growth. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can disrupt the plant's natural form.

Pot size

  • 1.5 Gallon
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