Ilex Crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a moderate growing shrub that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 9B. It prefers growing in a location that provides full sun, morning sun with afternoon shade or morning shade with afternoon sun and grows best when planted in sand, loam, clay or silt soil that is well drained. It attracts visual attention and is resistant to deer, drought, insects, diseases and heat.

Sky Pencil Holly can be useful in the landscape in foundation plantings, as a buffer or screen, in containers or planters, as a background, in shrub borders, around decks, swimming pools, and other outdoor living areas, as an accent, for topiary, as a focal point or in landscape beds or islands and also in theme gardens.

More about the Sky Pencil Holly...

Noteworthy Characteristics

Sky Pencil Holly is one a few shrubs that naturally grows in the shape of a narrow column, with no pruning necessary. That being said, it can be topped to control height. It's the perfect choice for those narrow spaces in foundation plantings where height is also needed.

Uses

Sky Pencil is an eye-catching accent or focal point in landscape beds. Where space is limited, it can be spaced as close as 15 to 18 inches apart in rows to form a unique, low maintenance hedge. Also useful to plant on either side of an entrance to accentuate an entryway. If left to grow naturally it might grow to 10 feet or more in height however can be pruned or sheared at the top to easily control height. When the top is pruned flat it takes on the form of a tall vase.

Culture & Care Tips

The Sky Pencil Holly is easy to grow in locations that provide well-drained acidic soil and full sun to light shade. Avoid planting in soils that remain consistently soggy as this will cause problems with the roots. It is drought tolerant when established only requiring supplemental irrigation during prolonged periods of drought during summer.

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