Holly belongs to the genus Ilex, which includes several commonly cultivated shrubs grown for their dark-green, spiny foliage and showy crimson berries. Grows 6 to 8 ft. tall and 2 to 3 ft. wide. History & Lore. Read on to find out how to plant a Sky Pencil holly and how easy it is to care for this interesting plant. Sky Pencil is a cultivar of the Japanese holly Ilex crenata. Makes an elegant, bold statement in large containers. Prefers average to moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. The Sky Pencil is an evergreen shrub that has small, glossy, dark green leaves year round. Dark green foliage holds its color year round, sporting purple berries in fall. It matures to an average height of 6 feet to 10 feet and an average width of 1 foot to 2 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. The cultivar name of this plant gives a good indication of its signature feature—this is a bush that is extremely narrow relative to its height. ‘Sky Pencil’ was intro­ duced by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1992. Pencil Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata'): Sometimes we might need a plant with a narrow form that is not a tall tree. ). Evergreen in zones 5-9, this lovely landscape tree is fairly low-maintenance. At maturity it may put on a bit of weight around the middle, but so far has not exceeded 2 feet in diameter. A very distinctive holly, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a slow growing, narrow, strongly columnar evergreen Japanese Holly with a shiny foliage of convex, dark green leaves, which holds all year. New growth emerges light green but darkens up with age. I purposely bought the Sky Pencil Holly for against my sidewalk entry to my house up against the garage wall. Once an evergreen like a Japanese holly drops its leaves, the root system is already dead. in length. ... they have not had enough time to establish a large enough root system and shallow, frequent waterings only tease them and place the plants under further stress. This Holly Tree can get up to 10 feet in … Sky Pencil Holly, native to Japan, is one of the most beautiful trees for small gardens. Moisture: Regular water schedule to ensure the growth of a mature root system. "...I need to know how much water they need as I will have to provide it." This is more likely a result of a mistake during the initial planting. 'Sky Pencil' is a female cultivar which needs a male pollinator in order to produce fruit. Once you have these canes, you can cut them into pieces about six inches (15 cm.) Small black fruits follow the tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. 98 Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 10 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen 3.9 out of 5 stars 10 Useful to fill those narrow spots in foundation plantings, as a … So, if a tree has a spread of 20′, I suppose the root system could be anywhere from 20-40′. Sky Pencil Holly is a narrow, columnar shrub ideally suited for small areas. Sky Pencil Holly problems that may arise include black rot, green leaves turning brown or black, web blight, or leaf spots that turn into yellow spots. Consistently wet soils can cause problems with the roots. Like the 'Hetz' cultivar, 'Sky Pencil' is an Ilex crenata (Japanese holly). Weed Control: If weeds begin to invade the planting area around your Sky Pencil Holly, simply remove them making sure to take out the entire root system of the weed if possible; otherwise, use a … Prune annually to shape. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - Unique and with a style all its own, Ilex crenata, commonly known as Japanese holly or box-leaved holly, is a dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10’ tall and wide with dozens of uses in the landscape. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 60 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen 3.9 out of 5 stars 10 $154.98 $ 154 . Note that the Sky Pencil Holly grows slowly during the first few years, so if you are thinking of using them as a privacy screen, you will see the benefits in the years to come. The 'Sky Pencil' holly shrubs--foundation planted along a fairly long, western exposure, windowless, brick Garage wall--died. It is extremely narrow and can grow 8-10 feet tall with only a 2-foot width, but it can also be kept shorter through pruning and shaping. Also, like 'Hetz', it bears tiny leaves and black-colored berries. If your holly is deciduous, this means your cuttings won’t have any leaves on them. A lanky sky pencil holly might just flop over and turn into a splayed out weeping holly. Fast growing and low maintenance, no wonder the Sky Pencil is so popular. Evergreen. Habit: Narrow, upright columnar habit. You need to test your soil down at root level to find out how your soil drains. Sky Pencil Holly: 5-9: ... A general rule of thumb is that the total root system will be around 2x wider than the crown of a particular tree. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer in spring. In a Container Because this shrub does not have an invasive root system, it can be grown in containers. Comment About Planting Plant Sky Pencil holly in well-drained soil in full to mostly sun. Dark green foliage stays neat year-round, and often sports small purple berries in fall. How to Propagate Holly Shrubs. Amazon.com : Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 50 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen : Garden & Outdoor Propagating holly should be done while the bush is dormant. Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is an 8- to 10-foot tall evergreen holly that grows like a narrow exclamation mark only 12 to 18 inches across. A healthy plant assumes you have the right plant in the right place. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' ... Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Affected plants have dark brown to black roots where the fungus is growing in or on the root tissue. Planted in a large container, it makes an elegant formal appearance. I love the look and don't entend to have anything but the skypencil against that wall. If your Sky Pencil is healthy, it should put up new canes from the roots. Poor soil aeration weakens holly roots, allowing fungi to invade and cause considerable damage. This form of Japanese Holly only grows to about a metre and a half tall. 1 reason for this - especially for a new transplant planted in summer. Applying a slow release fertilizer once a year to the top of the root ball will help greatly with these problems. The plant was discovered in the wild on Mount Daisen, near Honshu, Japan. The amount of water they need will depend on the circumstances. Mine took a beating this winter. Sky Pencil Holly was first introduced back in 1985 by the U.S. National Arboretum, and has increased in popularity in the landscape industry with each passing year. Weed Control: If weeds begin to invade the planting area around your Sky Pencil Holly, simply remove them making sure to take out the entire root system of the weed if possible; otherwise, use a … However, I’ve also read that the “major” large roots are only about as wide as the crown of the tree. The narrow, columnar form, is just right for small areas. It happens once the soil where it is planted retains moisture as this can prevent the penetration and circulation of oxygen. Sky Pencil hollies are narrow, columnar shrubs that grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m.) tall and 2 feet (.6 m.) wide. Hollies with diseased roots appear weak, and branches, sections, or the whole plant can die. Holly cuttings are made from canes of new growth that have been removed from the holly bush. ‘Sky Pencil’ is a very distinctive, upright or as a low, narrow hedge. Ilex Crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a moderate growing shrub that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 9B. Fertilizer: Suggest a well-balance fertilizer like a 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 or even a Holly-toner. Fertilization: Fertilize your Sky Pencil Holly tree once annually with a slow-release fertilizer. Feed in early spring and fall.Uses: To fill small places in a sunny landscape area, dense narrow hedge, decorative accent, container and privacy screen. Outstanding evergreen plant for vertical accent, entryways or privacy screening. Full sun. Outstanding for use as vertical accent, near entryways or as a privacy screen. The Sky Pencil Holly needs the maximum water during the first year of its growth due to the vast root system establishment. All About 'Sky Pencil' Hollies In 2 Minutes - In this video I go over the basics of 'Sky Pencil' Hollies. This Japanese holly “sky pencil” plant arrived in great condition (see picture), and the plant was nicely placed in its container with plenty of soil. About Sky Pencil Holly. This may refer to Pythium, Phytophthora,and Thielaviopsis black rot. This evergreen will tolerate pollution, so it would even make a good addition to an urban landscape. Root rot and other problems can occur with heavy, wet soils. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. A particular root rot disease known as mushroom root rot can be diagnosed by … After first year Holly Bushes needs water just at the dry spells. Also included in the list of the most common sky pencil holly problems is root rot. Tolerates mild drought, when established. Deer Resistant Sky Pencil Holly Shrub. Sky Pencil Holly has dense dark green foliage and a vertical growth habit that can bring vertical interest to your landscape. This plant prefers light, moist, acidic soils with good drainage. Light Requirements: Full Sun. The website below shows some possible fungi, which are fairly easy to ID. Lack of water is the No. But the similarities end there. Fertilization: Fertilize your Sky Pencil Holly tree once annually with a slow-release fertilizer. But not sure if it was the winter or the fact that I possible don't have Male/female plants. Great for a hedge, specimen, privacy screen, container, entry way accent and Zen/contemporary garden. Evergreens prefer an acidic fertilizer. 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