If you want to grow sky pencil holly, choose a well-drained area with partial shade and fertile soil. Here are a few more reasons to grow a Sky Pencil Japanese holly tree: Unlike most hollies, the leaves don't have sharp points and can be handled easily. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesnt get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot. It is also best to plant this shrub in protected areas to prevent damage from winter's cold winds. Sky Pencil Holly Japanese Sky Holly in Quart Pot 6-12"Tall - Planting Ornaments Perennial Garden Simple to Grow Pots Gifts. This handsome, upright shrub is adept as a framing element in the formal garden and adds welcome height in informal settings. Again, the taste of the leaves (and in some cases the spines on the leaves) and the berries just do not taste very good and they will probably not eat much of any part of the Holly plants. It tolerates shade and air pollution. If you are growing your Sky Pencil in a container, note that it may need more water than your garden-grown plants. A pre-applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant wellnourished for up to one year. They make a great backdrop for a patio garden, as well, providing a verdant backdrop for flowering plants such as dahlias or zinnias. About the only extra care you need to consider for your Sky Pencil is a burlap wrapping if you live in an area with severe or windy winters. Its glossy, dark-green leaves are evergreen, so it has a presence even in the middle of winter. 'Soft Touch' is an unusual holly because its leaves are soft to the touch. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction. However, if the shrub is severely weakened by these symptoms, it may not recover in time for spring. Hi Jen,Actually I just planted two in containers in my son's Philadelphia Terrace garden. I don't think the shade, however, is making the shrub bushier. Were the root balls loosened well upon planting, and was the soil amendment mixed thoroughly with the native soil? Japanese hollies can be susceptible to black root rotcalled Thielaviopsis. H. Low maintenance. Light: Full Sun. N.C. Look Carefully at the Light, 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire. If the leaves begin to drop in this manner, it is best to clip off and destroy afflicted foliage. How does the rest of the tree look? And pruning should be done in the late fall, early winter when the trees are dormant. The Holly Society of America, Inc., named 'Sky Pencil' as it's Holly of the Year in 2004. Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests. Is the Japanese Sky Pencil poisonous to dogs? I would classify the Japanese Sky Pencil as poisonous to cats and dogs. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has . Only 5 left in stock - order soon. Grow plants with confidence and find new friends along the way. Place this bush near a wall or fence where it can grow unobstructed. This article will cover the most common sky pencil holly problems. Are the leaves overall yellow cast or riddled with yellow trails or yellow spots? I would classify the Japanese Sky Pencil as poisonous to cats and dogs. Not so with Sky Pencils. When you do so, be sure to sterilize your pruners using a solution of one part bleach and three parts water. when left to grow naturally, and it can be pruned to just a foot (31 cm.) It also appears as if there are small holes in the foliage, which is a symptom of a type of fungus that enters through these wounds.. It will be best to keep the top growth sheared of flat. for pricing and availability. It's also an easy-care tree, bothered by few pests or diseases. small, black, round drupes that ripen in the fall. It is tolerant, also, of shade, although you will get the most robust growth if it receives a minimum of six hours of direct light a day. That should help stimulate the bottoms to throw new growth, while limiting the new growth at the top. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. Why are they dying? If the Sky Pencil Holly is infested with Sky Root Rot, its roots will begin to turn brown and die back. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon . Branches are falling to a horizontal position and will not remain vertical. Mature Spread: 2-3 Feet, Buy Sky Pencil Holly online. Pests that might find your Sky Pencil holly appealing include aphids, scale insects, and holly leaf miners. The other two are starting to get brown stems but allear to still have some light in them. 68. Blooming occurs from May to June. The answer to these questions could mean the difference between a diagnosis of cold injury, a fungal infection or an insect infestation. The branches and berries of the holly are used for decorations during the holidays. Growth may indeed be somewhat slower but yours will be fine :-) They ripen in early fall and will persist into spring. You did not mention how old the shrubs are and how you cared for them. Holly is a versatile, hardy plant common throughout North America that can be found in both temperate and tropical regions from sea level to more than 6,600 ft in the case of high mountain species. Prune back any branches leaning out or crossing over. I have one that's doing fine. I cultivated the acidic soil base with about 4 inches of amendments appropriate for evergreen planting. Also, be aware that this plant is extremely drought resistant once established. form a strategic partnership called N.C. They need to be pruned in order to gain stability. Hello, These hollies are lovely and should do very well for you in Maryland. The foliage will remain all year long, though in cold winter climates, there may be some dieback during severe cold spells. These shrubs adapt well in the ground to different lighting conditions. If pruning is necessary shear in early to mid-summer. Sky Pencil has a unique, very narrow, upright growth habit that looks great in the garden as an accent plant, and it has quickly become very popular across the country. Needs at least four hours of light per day. Evergreen -slower grower. Suz. Sign up for our newsletter. Too much water can cause brown leaves on your tree! You may be able to keep it somewhat shorter through trimming, although it is preferable to allow the tree to assume its natural, pleasantly vertical shape on its own. Only use a slow release fertilizer, this will make sure the shrub doesn't grow to quickly from a quick shot of nitrogen. A healthy Sky Pencil holly will generally max out at about six to eight feet. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant needs protection from the wind and cold with a wind break and mulching. Other vertical evergreen choices (junipers/arborvitae) don't like pruning and if you have a bad spot, you're basically stuck with it. They are dull, greenish-white, fragrant flowers in spring that form in clusters of 1 to 3. Diseases of hollies include canker, which causes damage to the branches prune out any that show sunken areas. Hello, I have three sky pencil hollies in our back yard. The leaves and berries of the Japanese Sky Pencil are mildly poisonous and will cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Take care when planting, as saponins in the shrub are toxic to people and pets. They are shiny and dark green on the upper surface and dull light green beneath. Leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptic or obovate. Make sure you don't cover the branches or leaves with it, or the main stem, just the soil. Perfect in landscapes, and as accents! Its black berries attract a wide range of birds. Replacing your plants potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Branching is strong and plants do not develop the "fallen out" branches of some fastigiate plants . Rhizoctonia aerial blight, or web blight, attacks 'Sky Pencil' holly when prolonged rainfall, high humidity and warm summer temperatures combine. Get personalized care for every one of your plants! There is a specimen plant at Brookside Gardens near the front side entrance to the Visitors Center. Aphids, scales, holly leaf miners, and holly leaf blight may also be seen. The fruit is a black, globose, berrylike drupe on pollinated female plants. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm, For more information on the care of sky pencils, please visit the following link: This plant will work as an accent or foundation planting. It will only produce the fruits, which are poisonous and not edible, if you plant it near another type of holly with male flowers. 'Sky Pencil' is an all-female cultivar which needs a male variety nearby as a pollenizer, in order to produce berries. The leaves and berries are of low toxicity to these animals. Find My Store. Leaves are good in flower arrangements. I lost one in deep shade. For it's overall shape, just trim the sides up to a width that you prefer. The foliage of this shrub is dark green and leathery, while the leaves themselves appear to be glistening. These are poisonous to humans and animals alike. Our best and highest-quality tomatoes are harvested in May to late June. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atUS (888) 426-4435. Lane Carlyle. A 10-6-4 blend or one made specifically for broadleaf evergreens is best. They are beautiful but too much maintenance for me. Soil should be damp to the touch. Black, globose, berrylike-fruit on pollinated female plants from fall to winter that are 1/4 inch in length. See how it came to be, Consider windows, skylights and the sun in any potential home, lest you end up facing down the dark, Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire and experienced the staggering generosity of community, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Lyons Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Quincy Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Wild Birds Transform a Womans Garden and Life, Source List: 20 Wallpapers That Make the Room, 17 Wandering Paths That Take Joy in the Journey, 15 Spectacular Christmas Palettes Beyond Red and Green, 21 Dream Showers Let You Soap Up in Style, A Magical Tree House Lights Up for Christmas, House Hunting? What Planting Zone is Illinois in? I needed them for a strong vertical statement in my landscaping scheme and it was my only choice in my planting zone. The species is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant, thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). form a strategic partnership called N.C. I'm not sure on what growing zone you are in, but in zones 8 and 9, the Holly will need an afternoon shade location. Give them plenty of acidic, nicely draining, good soil and pay attention to their water needs and they will perform. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil', is a low maintenance evergreen shrub, with a narrow, columnar form. If they are unfit to eat as is, peeling the fruit is an option. Although they grow VERY slowly, they can be easily pruned. Sky Pencil Holly will need to stay in an area with partial shade and moist, but not wet soil. I bought a 4' tall one two years ago. The maximum width of this plant, however, is only about 3 feet. Is this due to the shady conditions? Bump bump. I notice they are getting thicker and bushier while retaining their height. Sky Pencil holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') is a versatile plant with dozens of uses in the landscape. Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata) is a narrow, columnar shaped evergreen plant standing like an exclamation point and announcing to all of the passersby due to its conical evergreen shape. This sturdy plant features wide evergreen leaves and produces a shiny black fruit. This is what makes it so practical for smaller gardens and patio spaces.. Best suited for USDA zones 6 to 9, sky pencil holly can be kept outdoors during the wintertime but will need a little protection from frost.. Sky pencils need a good amount of sunlight throughout the day. The Sky Holly is a female cultivar, meaning its flowers only have female plant parts on them. When preparing to plant holly bushes and trees, note that some varieties need both a male and female plant in order to produce berries. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant needs protection from the wind and cold with a wind break and mulching. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for evergreens. Now I can spend more money at the nursery on that Rhododendron I've been coveting :) Just thought I would pass this on in case anyone else was interested in this holly. I want this question answered by a gardening expert, not me. FREE delivery Feb 10 - 11 . We use and recommend www.dripdepot.com for our irrigation needs, from simple to install micro and drip systems, to commercial grade irrigation parts and supplies. Now I will NOT be going back for it. We had a unusually cold winter. Sky Pencil is excellent in a container or for vertical element in the garden. White Sky Pencil Japanese Holly Feature Shrub in 13-Gallon (s) Pot. Scientific name: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' Description The narrow, columnar form of Japanese Holly is just right for small areas. Sky Pencils don't mind pruning at all. One pound of fertilizer per inch of the trunk diameter is recommended. Here is an article on cold damage in shrubs with a prescribed course of treatment: The symptoms include lethargy, low blood pressure, skin rashes . After the tree is established, only water when the soil is dry. It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile. The Sky Pencil likes moist soil, especially when young, so water weekly during the trees first year. I thought about some acouple years ago but picked up some 4' b&b hicksii yew for $20 at Home Depot. For best growing results, make sure the soil drains well. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Buy Sky Pencil Holly online. At this point the shrub is dead andwill not return to its former glory. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/winter-damage-of-shrubs.htm, For additional information on yellowing leaves on hollies, please refer to: Japanese holly, Ilex crenata, is an evergreen shrub with a dense branching pattern and a moderate rate of growth. In fact, it is an often recommended shrub for a partial to full shade location. It's also an easy-care tree, bothered by few pests or diseases. 'Sky Pencil' is a popular columnar cultivar that grows 10 feet tall but spreads less than 2 feet wide. I saw some plants at Behnke's that were about 3 feet tall, I guess that will have to do. Unfortunately, there are no good substitutes for the narrow, upright growth habit of the Sky Pencil holly. To control its height, simply cut off as much from the top as necessary, though never take more than a third off the plant's growth. 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