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

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) is a distinctive broadleaf evergreen shrub valued for its naturally narrow, upright growth habit and glossy dark green foliage. This Japanese holly cultivar provides strong vertical structure in landscapes without requiring a wide planting area. Its architectural form makes it particularly useful for foundation plantings, entryway accents, narrow garden borders, formal landscapes, and decorative outdoor containers.

The plant develops densely arranged, small, oval to rounded leaves along slender, upright branches. Unlike many traditional hollies, Japanese holly has relatively smooth leaf margins without prominent spines. Its fine-textured foliage and columnar growth habit create an elegant, structured appearance throughout the year.

Sky Pencil Holly produces small, inconspicuous whitish flowers in spring. As a female cultivar, it may develop small black berries when a compatible male Japanese holly is available for pollination. This evergreen shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Its compact horizontal growth makes it suitable for outdoor containers and landscapes where narrow evergreen accents are desired.

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

Shipping Height: Not specified.

Shipping Size

• Quantity: 1 Live Sky Pencil Holly

• Container Size: 1 Quart Nursery Pot (QT)

• Shipping Height: Not specified

• Plant Form: Rooted, Container-Grown Evergreen Shrub

• Flower Color: Small, Whitish Flowers

• Fruit Color: Black Berries May Develop With Compatible Pollination

• Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green

• Foliage Shape: Small, Oval to Rounded

• Growth Habit: Narrow, Upright, Columnar

• Bloom Season: Spring

• Seasonal Appearance: Evergreen; Winter Bronzing or Minor Foliage Discoloration May Occur

Botanical Name Clarification: Sky Pencil Holly is botanically identified as Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’. It is a cultivar of Japanese holly and should not be confused with American holly (Ilex opaca) or other holly species.

Seasonal Appearance Disclosure: Sky Pencil Holly is a broadleaf evergreen and normally retains its foliage throughout the year. Depending on seasonal temperatures, sunlight, and nursery maintenance, plants may display variations in foliage color, density, branching, and overall appearance. Some winter bronzing or leaf discoloration may occur in exposed conditions.

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 Quart Nursery Pot (QT)

• 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 Form and Glossy Evergreen Foliage

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