Ilex crenata Sky Pointer (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pointer’ is a narrow, pyramidal evergreen Japanese Holly with a shiny foliage of fairly flat, dark green leaves, which holds all year. Vigorous, with a tight upright branching, it is perfect for formal gardens and provides an elegant, vertical accent in the landscape. Adds some architecture to decorative containers too.

Ilex crenata 'Sky Pointer' is a narrow, pyramidal evergreen Japanese Holly with a shiny foliage of fairly flat, dark green leaves, which holds all year. Vigorous, with a tight upright branching, it is perfect for formal gardens and provides an elegant, vertical accent in the landscape. Adds some architecture to decorative containers too.

  • Grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 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. If pruning is necessary shear in early to mid-summer.

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
Plant Family Ilex – Hollies
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 4'
– 5'
(120cm
– 150cm)
Spread 3'
– 4'
(90cm
– 120cm)
Spacing 36″
– 48″
(90cm
– 120cm)
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 Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Formal Garden, Informal and Cottage