This is a fast growing shrub that will grow up to 10 in a year to mature height of 6-8 feet. How much sun does a Holly Sky Pencil need?
They adapt to full sun or partial shade. In zones 8 and 9, provide protection from harsh afternoon sun. In zone 6 it needs protection from strong winds. It grows well in any well-drained soil.
How fast does Ilex grow?
Ilex crenata hedging has a slow growth rate and will achieve between 10-20cm per annum. Ilex crenata is ideal for heights of up to 1m. Is boxwood or holly a better plant?
If you want tall and full hedges, you may prefer the look of boxwoods. Not only do they grow taller, but they take extremely well to shearing so you can easily sculpt them to how you want them to look. With that said, soft touch holly offers a more dynamic look.
How far apart should sky pencil holly be planted?
Sky Pencil Holly Spacing Space 3 to 4 feet apart. For a formal hedge, plant 2 ½ to 3 feet apart, measure from the center of each plant. How do you plant an Ilex sky pencil?
Just be sure to pick a planting spot in full sun for the best appearance vigorous growth. Sky Pencil Holly will be drought tolerant faster if you prep your planting hole right. Dig it twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Be sure to really make the ground soil loose.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Can Sky Pencil holly grow in shade?
Sky Pencil Holly is easy to transplant and urban tolerant. Plant in the full sun to partial shade in acidic well-drained soil though it tolerates a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry, and actually prefers clay.
Why is my sky pencil holly dying?
Root Rots. Sky Pencil holly specimens require fast-draining soils that allow oxygen to reach their roots. … As the roots die off, the holly’s foliage begins to yellow and die as well. Avoid overwatering your holly plant to the point that the soil remains soggy or develops standing water.
How do I protect my sky pencil holly in the winter?
Winter Care If you’re keeping your sky pencil holly tree outdoors in the winter, you will need to protect it slightly from the frost. By tying up the branches in the winter, you can prevent frost burn and breakage. Using a twine, wrap the tree from top to bottom to keep the branches tight against the tree.
How often do you water a sky pencil?
Water well regularly, in the form of 1” of rainfall or irrigation per week (equivalent to a 5-gallon bucket full), often more frequently in extremely warm areas or if in a pot. Established plants need watering only during dry spells. If desired, fertilize in spring.
Is there a dwarf Sky Pencil holly?
How do I know if my holly is male or female?
The best way to determine the sex of holly plants is by examining the flowers, which are located between the leaf and branch joint. Although the small clusters of creamy white flowers are similar in appearance, males have more prominent stamens than females.
What is the fastest growing tree for privacy?
What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
What is the fastest growing hedge in Australia?
Mock Orange (Murraya paniculata) Another one of the most popular hedging and screening plants across Australia, the Mock Orange grows up to four metres high. It is dense and fast-growing with dark green foliage, and it produces an abundance of orange-blossom-scented white flowers in summer and spring.
Is Ilex same as boxwood?
A number of alternative plants are available and Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is probably the one that resembles boxwood most closely. Like boxwood, it is tolerant to severe pruning making it suitable for hedges.
Is Ilex a boxwood?
Another great boxwood look-alike is Ilex crenata commonly called Japanese holly. This is an evergreen shrub with rounded glossy green leaves. … We grow four varieties of Japanese holly at Home Nursery, two columnar varieties, and two mounded varieties.
How do you tell a Japanese holly from a boxwood?
The simplest way to tell them apart is to look at leaf arrangement – boxwood leaves are opposite; Japanese holly leaves are alternate.
What can I plant with sky pencil holly?
Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’
Botanical Pronunciation | EYE-leks kre-NAY-tuh |
---|---|
Water Needs | Moderate |
Watering Needs | Water regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. |
Companion Plants | Peony (Paeonia); Azalea (Azalea); False Holly (Osmanthus); Blueberry (Vaccinium); Astilbe (Astilbe) |
Do holly trees have deep roots?
Holly shrubs have rather shallow root systems, so you do not have to dig deeply to reach the bottom of the root ball. Once the holly shrub is dug out, quickly move the shrub to its new location. Place the holly into its new spot and spread the roots out in the hole.
How do you shape a holly sky pencil?
Can Japanese holly grow in pots?
Japanese hollies growing in pots appreciate a moist, but well-drained soil. … Therefore, to ensure good drainage, use a pot with a drainage hole(s) and a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 combination thereof, for planting.
Will Ilex grow in shade?
Most holly shrubs and trees prefer a full-sun to light-shade location with moist soil that drains well. Varieties such as American holly (Ilex opaca: USDA zones 5 to 9) and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria; USDA zones 7 to 9) are versatile and shade-tolerant.
How long do Sky pencils live?
The Sky Pencil Holly lives for approximately 40 years so plan your landscape with its longevity in mind. The Sky Pencil Holly can be planted outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 -9. And luckily for those of us who live in colder climates, it does really well growing in a container as well.
Is holly bad for dogs?
Holly Berries are Toxic To put it simply, the berries of the holly plant are toxic—not only to dogs, but also to other animals and children. These berries remain attached to the plant while it’s still fresh, but as the plant dries, the berries loosen and may fall off of your décor and onto the floor.
How do you save a holly dying sky pencil?
Dieback results in a canker somewhere along the stem. The canker blocks the flow of nutrients to the branch. It’s best to trim the entire branch off or at least prune it off about 6 below the canker. The canker looks like a knotted up area along the stem.
How do you prune a holly sky pencil?
Why are the leaves on my pencil holly turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on holly trees is a fairly common problem for gardeners. On a holly, yellow leaves typically indicates an iron deficiency, also known as iron chlorosis. When a holly plant does not get enough iron, the plant cannot produce chlorophyll and you get yellow leaves on your holly bush.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.