Ilex crenata Sky Pencil (Japanese Holly)

A very distinctive holly, Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ is a slow-growing, narrow, strongly columnar evergreen Japanese Holly with shiny foliage of convex, dark green leaves, which holds all year. Small black fruits follow the tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. ‘Sky Pencil’ is a female cultivar that needs a male pollinator in order to produce fruit. Introduced by the US National Arboretum, its pencil-thin growth habit makes it perfect for small gardens.

A very distinctive holly, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a slow-growing, narrow, strongly columnar evergreen Japanese Holly with shiny foliage of convex, dark green leaves, which holds all year. Small black fruits follow the tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. 'Sky Pencil' is a female cultivar that needs a male pollinator in order to produce fruit. Introduced by the US National Arboretum, its pencil-thin growth habit makes it perfect for small gardens. Terrific as a narrow hedge or screen, it also provides a rare natural vertical accent in the landscape. An ideal focal plant in the garden.

  • Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) and 18-36 in. wide (45-90 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy and tolerates a wide variety of soils. However, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • May be affected by aphids, scale insects, holly leaf miner, or holly leaf blight.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, foundation plantings, hedges or screens, or wall-side borders.
  • Does not need to be pruned or trained to maintain its shape.

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 8

Heat Zones 5
– 7

Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Ilex – Hollies
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 6'
– 10'
(180cm
– 3m)
Spread 1'
– 3'
(30cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage