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Friday, September 1, 2023

This Month in the Garden: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'

This Month in the Garden: Feature Shrub: 'Sky Pencil' Holly
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
Welcome to This Month in the Garden. For the month of September, we feature Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil', a versatile selection which adds dimension and intermediate height to the garden. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, 'Sky Pencil' Holly displays a narrow, columnar habit with dark green evergreen foliage which adds interest throughout the year. In springtime, insignificant small white flowers that attract pollinators lead to small purple berries in fall, if a male holly is nearby. Growing to just 2-3 feet wide by 6-8 feet in height, this shrub adds a dramatic vertical accent to the landscape. 
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
Plant 'Sky Pencil' Holly in full sun to partial shade (in warmer climates) and water when the top two inches of soil is dry. Ideally, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade is best. Holly are best if watered at the base of  the roots rather than from above and prefer a moderately moist, well-drained soil. If leaves yellow, it is most likely an indication of too much moisture. The height of this broad-leaved evergreen can be easily maintained by pruning in springtime after new growth pushes out and again in late summer if desired, as this selection grows approximately six to twelve inches a year when conditions are ideal. Since this is a broad-leaved evergreen, it is recommended to mulch around the base of the plant to protect it from temperature changes and to spray the foliage with an anti-desiccant in late autumn to protect the leaves from winter drying. 
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also, be sure to check out my author page and books, as I share a lifetime passion of gardening! 


Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved. 

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2 comments:

  1. Rita C at PanoplySeptember 8, 2023 at 9:03 AM

    Lee, what brand anti-dessicant do you use? I am still trying to nurture damaged boxwoods from last winter. I have one sky pencil holly. It was in a pot when we bought this house, but I transplanted it into the ground.

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    1. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningSeptember 8, 2023 at 9:45 AM


      Hi Rita. I use either Wilt Pruf, Wilt Stop or Transfilm and apply late November when the daytime temperatures are in the 40’s/50’s.

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