Sky Pencil Holly 1 Live Evergreen Shrub, 1 Gallon Pot – Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) is a distinctive evergreen ornamental shrub valued for its exceptionally narrow, upright growth habit and glossy dark green foliage. This Japanese holly cultivar develops a naturally columnar form that provides vertical structure without requiring extensive planting space. Its architectural appearance makes it a useful choice for foundation plantings, entryway accents, narrow garden borders, formal landscapes, and decorative outdoor containers.

The foliage consists of small, oval to rounded, glossy dark green leaves arranged densely along upright branches. Unlike many traditional hollies, Japanese holly has relatively smooth leaf margins rather than prominent spines. Sky Pencil Holly is primarily grown for its evergreen foliage and slender form, which provides year-round ornamental interest in suitable climates.

Sky Pencil Holly produces small, inconspicuous whitish flowers in spring. Female plants may develop small black berries when compatible male Japanese hollies are nearby for pollination. This shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Its naturally narrow growth makes it especially suitable for landscapes where vertical accents are desired without a broad, spreading shrub.

Each order includes 1 live Sky Pencil Holly supplied in a 1-gallon nursery pot (G1).

Shipping Height: Not specified.

Shipping Size

• Quantity: 1 Live Sky Pencil Holly

• Container Size: 1 Gallon Nursery Pot (G1)

• Shipping Height: Not specified

• Plant Form: Rooted, Container-Grown Evergreen Shrub

• Flower Color: Small, Whitish Flowers

• Fruit Color: Black Berries May Develop With Suitable Pollination

• Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green

• Foliage Shape: Small, Oval to Rounded

• Growth Habit: Narrow, Upright, Columnar

• Bloom Season: Spring

• Seasonal Appearance: Evergreen; Foliage Color and Density May Vary Seasonally

Botanical Name Clarification: Sky Pencil Holly is botanically identified as Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’. It is a cultivar of Japanese holly, not a cultivar of American holly (Ilex opaca).

Seasonal Appearance Disclosure: Sky Pencil Holly is an evergreen shrub and generally retains its leaves throughout the year. Plants may show seasonal differences in foliage color, density, branching, and overall appearance depending on temperature, weather, and nursery maintenance. Some winter bronzing or foliage discoloration may occur in exposed locations.

Plant Condition Disclosure:

Live plants may be shipped dormant, leafless, recently pruned, bare root, or partially defoliated depending on season, weather, and shipping requirements.

Natural variation in size, branching, foliage density, color, root structure, and overall appearance should be expected.

Important Note:

You will receive a live starter plant (seedling/young plant). Listing photos show the plant at a mature stage for reference only. The actual plant size, shape, and appearance may vary and will be significantly smaller than the images shown.

• Quantity: 1 Live Sky Pencil Holly

• Container Size: 1 Gallon Nursery Pot (G1)

• Shipping Height: Not specified

• Common Name: Sky Pencil Holly

• Other Common Name: Sky Pencil Japanese Holly

• Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’

• Cultivar: Sky Pencil

• Plant Family: Aquifoliaceae

• Plant Type: Broadleaf Evergreen Ornamental Shrub

• Life Cycle: Perennial

• Plant Form: Rooted, Container-Grown Live Shrub

• Growth Habit: Narrow, Upright, Columnar

• Flower Color: Whitish

• Flower Form: Small, Inconspicuous Blossoms

• Bloom Season: Spring

• Fruit Color: Black Berries May Develop With Pollination

• Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green

• Foliage Shape: Small, Oval to Rounded

• Foliage Texture: Dense, Fine-Textured Evergreen Leaves

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Generally 6–8

• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

• Soil Preference: Moist, Well-Drained, Slightly Acidic Soil

• Water Requirements: Moderate; Consistent Moisture During Establishment

• Landscape Uses: Foundation Plantings, Entryway Accents, Narrow Borders, Formal Gardens, and Outdoor Containers

• Columnar Evergreen Shrub: Yes

• Narrow Space Suitable: Yes

• Foundation Planting Suitable: Yes

• Formal Garden Suitable: Yes

• Entryway Accent Suitable: Yes

• Container Suitable: Yes, With Adequate Drainage

• Outdoor Plant: Yes

• Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen

• Seasonal Appearance: Retains Foliage; May Show Winter Bronzing

• Primary Feature: Narrow Columnar Growth and Glossy Evergreen Foliage

Live Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’), natural root system, nursery growing medium, 1-gallon nursery pot (G1).