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. 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.