The Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') is a stunning evergreen shrub that adds vertical interest and a touch of elegance to any landscape or container garden. Its slender， columnar shape and glossy， dark green foliage create a striking visual impact， making it a popular choice for both formal and contemporary garden designs. This slow-growing holly variety can reach a mature height of 7 to 12 feet while maintaining its narrow， upright form.The leaves of the Sky Pencil Holly are small， oval-shaped， and densely packed along the stem， forming a dense， bushy appearance. These foliage features not only contribute to its aesthetic appeal but also provide a sense of privacy and serve as a natural backdrop for other garden elements. The evergreen nature of this holly ensures year-round interest， as it retains its lush green foliage throughout all seasons.In late spring to early summer， the Sky Pencil Holly produces inconspicuous white flowers， adding a subtle touch of beauty to the shrub. These flowers are followed by small black berries that persist into winter， providing food for birds and wildlife. While this holly variety is primarily grown for its attractive form and foliage， its berries add an additional element of interest.

Create Vertical Accents: Plant Sky Pencil Hollies in a row or cluster to create vertical accents in your garden. Their slender， upright form adds height and visual interest to the landscape.

Frame Entryways: Flank entryways， gates， or paths with Sky Pencil Hollies to create a formal and elegant entrance. Their narrow shape serves as a natural frame， adding a touch of sophistication to the landscape.

Privacy Screen: Plant a row of Sky Pencil Hollies close together to form a living privacy screen. Their dense foliage provides year-round coverage and creates a sense of seclusion in your outdoor space.

Container Gardening: Sky Pencil Hollies excel in container gardens. Place them in large， sturdy containers to add verticality and structure to patios， balconies， or porches. They work well as focal points or as a complement to other plants in mixed container arrangements.

Sky Pencil Hollies should be watered regularly， especially during the first year after planting， to ensure proper establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide deep waterings to encourage deep root growth， allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. During periods of prolonged drought or hot weather， increase the frequency of watering to prevent stress on the plant.

Sky Pencil Holly is suitable for planting in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9

Sky Pencil Holly thrives in full to partial sun， requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth

Sky Pencil Holly benefits from an annual application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants or a general-purpose slow-release granular fertilizer. Follow the package instructions for proper application rates. Avoid excessive fertilization， as it can lead to excessive growth or nutrient imbalances.

Sky Pencil Holly prefers well-draining soil that is fertile and slightly acidic. It grows best in loamy or sandy soil with good drainage. Prior to planting， amend heavy clay soils with organic matter such as compost or peat moss to improve drainage and create a favorable soil structure for the holly.

Average Shipping Size: 20-24 inches tall X 7-12 inches wide

Ships from Alabama - Customers beyond the Southeast US should place orders from early fall to late spring to avoid heat damage in transit

Placing a large order? Consider ordering 1-2 plants to ensure that they will meet your specifications before placing the order for the entire project

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