Free Shipping On Orders Over $100

Order by Phone - 1-866-618-5659

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata)

19 Reviews
| Ask a question
$18.99
  • Bronze-green leaves and fiery pink blossoms
  • Matures to 18-24" wide by 5-10' tall
  • Hardy in USDA Zones 6 - 9
  • Plant in full sun to part shade
Pot size

Description

The Sky Pencil Holly, also known as Japanese Holly, is an upright columnar evergreen shrub composed of dark green foliage that keeps color year-round and often will form small purple to black berries in the fall if a male pollinizer is present. Unlike other holly shrubs, the leaves of this Holly are rounded and lack sharp points, making it ideal for an entirely different placement.

Japanese hollies work well on decks, patios, or entryways. Their upright habit makes for a tall accent or privacy screen that makes a bold, formal statement. In addition, they are fast-growing, low maintenance, and free from prickly leaves, which makes you understand why this has become such a popular choice. A fully mature Sky Pencil Holly can reach up to 10 feet in height but will remain a narrow 2-3 feet wide, only requiring some light pruning near the top.

Looking for a Sky Pencil with Red tints? Check out the Red Sky Ilex from Southern Living Plants.

Sky Pencil Holly Care

Choosing an appropriate location for your Japanese Holly Sky Pencil will be the most significant determining factor of how well it grows. Avoiding extreme temperatures and planting in full sun to partial sun will help ensure a healthy life. This Holly is cold-hardy in USDA zones 6-9.

While they prefer acidic soil, they tend to adapt well to just about any soil as long as it drains.

Water deeply after planting and continue to water several times weekly for the first few months. After they have established themselves, you can reduce your watering schedule to only exceptionally dry spells.

After planting, add 2 - 3 inches of mulch to the base of the Holly to protect the soil from drying out.

Pruning Your Sky Pencil Japanese Holly

Light trimming is often beneficial, especially when they are still young. Trimming helps the holly gain stability and form sturdy stems that will support its future growth. Prune in the winter as the plant will not be actively growing. If you choose to do so, prune the sides and top being sure not to remove more than a third of its growth.

Japanese Holly Sky Pencil Companion Plants

A few familiar companions you often find with these shrubs are available here at Plantsbymail.com! Boxwoods, viburnums, and hydrangeas pair together very well in any landscape or as foundational growth, and we have several to choose from.

Here are some of our favorite companion plants!

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

Sky Pencil (Ilex) Japanese Holly Spacing Recommendations

Space Your Sky Pencil (Ilex) Japanese 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 'Sky Pencil'
  • Hardiness Zone
    6, 7, 8, 9
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun to Part Shade
  • Evergreen or Deciduous
    Evergreen
  • Features
    Attracts Birds / Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Disease Tolerant, Drought Tolerant
  • Feature Color
    Green
  • Uses
    Container, Foundation Planting, Hedge
  • Water Needs
    Medium
  • Bloom Season
    Summer

Growing Zones : 6, 7, 8, and 9

Compare with Similar Items

A table comparing the facets of 5 products
Facet
Carissa Holly 2.5 qt pot for sale online
Carissa Holly
View details
Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Compacta)
View details
Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burfordii')
View details
Dwarf Yaupon Holly
View details
Gold Mop Cypress (Chamaecyparis)
View details
By
ByFlowerwoodFlowerwoodFlowerwoodFlowerwoodFlowerwood
Price
Price
From $18.99
From $17.49
From $17.99
From $18.79
From $19.98
Description
DescriptionThe Carissa Holly, also known as Ilex cornuta 'Carissa', is a versatile and attractive evergreen shrub that's perfect for adding... Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Compacta) is an evergreen ornamental shrub with a dense globular form. This shrub is truly a... The Dwarf Burford Holly (Burfordii Nana) is a classic woody ornamental shrub selection for landscapers and gardeners alike. This shrub... Dwarf Yaupon Holly is a versatile and compact evergreen shrub that brings year-round beauty to your landscape. With its dense,... The Gold Mop False Cypress (Chamaecyparis) features a naturally compact and rounded low-growing habit of golden yellow weeping foliage. Furthermore,...
Flowerwood

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata)

From $18.99

The Sky Pencil Holly, also known as Japanese Holly, is an upright columnar evergreen shrub composed of dark green foliage that keeps color year-round and often will form small purple to black berries in the fall if a male pollinizer is present. Unlike other holly shrubs, the leaves of this Holly are rounded and lack sharp points, making it ideal for an entirely different placement.

Japanese hollies work well on decks, patios, or entryways. Their upright habit makes for a tall accent or privacy screen that makes a bold, formal statement. In addition, they are fast-growing, low maintenance, and free from prickly leaves, which makes you understand why this has become such a popular choice. A fully mature Sky Pencil Holly can reach up to 10 feet in height but will remain a narrow 2-3 feet wide, only requiring some light pruning near the top.

Looking for a Sky Pencil with Red tints? Check out the Red Sky Ilex from Southern Living Plants.

Sky Pencil Holly Care

Choosing an appropriate location for your Japanese Holly Sky Pencil will be the most significant determining factor of how well it grows. Avoiding extreme temperatures and planting in full sun to partial sun will help ensure a healthy life. This Holly is cold-hardy in USDA zones 6-9.

While they prefer acidic soil, they tend to adapt well to just about any soil as long as it drains.

Water deeply after planting and continue to water several times weekly for the first few months. After they have established themselves, you can reduce your watering schedule to only exceptionally dry spells.

After planting, add 2 - 3 inches of mulch to the base of the Holly to protect the soil from drying out.

Pruning Your Sky Pencil Japanese Holly

Light trimming is often beneficial, especially when they are still young. Trimming helps the holly gain stability and form sturdy stems that will support its future growth. Prune in the winter as the plant will not be actively growing. If you choose to do so, prune the sides and top being sure not to remove more than a third of its growth.

Japanese Holly Sky Pencil Companion Plants

A few familiar companions you often find with these shrubs are available here at Plantsbymail.com! Boxwoods, viburnums, and hydrangeas pair together very well in any landscape or as foundational growth, and we have several to choose from.

Here are some of our favorite companion plants!

Pot size

  • 2.5 Quart
  • 2.4 Gallon
View product