I don't think the shade, however, is making the shrub bushier. Most people wouldn't bother, but I'm very picky and I prune. Scientific name: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' Description The narrow, columnar form of Japanese Holly is just right for small areas. Botryosphaeria or sky pencil holly is also vulnerable to web blight. Ours is still young, but we intend for it to be a focal point in our front-yard lane. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has . These shrubs adapt well in the ground to different lighting conditions. Minor toxicity. Were the root balls loosened well upon planting, and was the soil amendment mixed thoroughly with the native soil? Site your Sky Pencil holly in a space that gets full sun. They are in large tubs, full sun, watered daily and fertilized every other week. Most people wouldn't bother, but I'm very picky and I prune. Greg does not have confirmed data on this plants toxicity. I have not fertilized them since setting them out. Hetz's Japanese holly does not grow fast and can take several years to mature. Ilex Crenata, commonly known as Sky Pencil or Japanese Holly, is a tall, narrow, and evergreen holly often used in landscaping and small gardens. Needs at least four hours of light per day. It is suitable for informal and urban gardens. Sky Pencil Japanese holly, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil,' is a plant with a lot of personality. Overwatering, high temperature, dry wind, over-fertilization, pest and disease attacks are the common detrimental causes that can make your sky pencil holly plant brown. Sky Pencil is a upright evergreen accent plant with dense branching. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant needs protection from the wind and cold with a wind break and mulching. Pollination Info Sky Pencil is excellent in a container or for vertical element in the garden. The thin columnar shape is the first thing you'll notice. Not only for appearance, but also to allow your new columnar evergreen to stay full. Ilex crenata 'Sky pencil' Shiny dark green leaves all year on a narrowly upright frame. Japanese Holly Previously known as: Ilex crenata f. genuina Ilex crenata var. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/care-of-sky-pencil-holly.htm. If you are experiencing very dry or drought-like conditions, however, give it regular water. H. Low maintenance. I have a ranch style home too and I especially love what you did in the front. Thrives in areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day Slow grower, though. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. When should I plant replacements? What is causing our tomatoes to have such tough skins? Mature size 24 in W x 96 in. 'Sky Pencil' Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata Planted close together, Sky Pencils can be used as a hedge, with its height regulated by judicious trimming of the top. Find My Store. 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. Its glossy, dark-green leaves are evergreen, so it has a presence even in the middle of winter. I planted a beautiful plant called a Sky Pencil back in the spring. It should be moist yet aerated; this allows the plant to get the water it needs while still having what it takes to thrive. They are pretty expensive and I am afraid to invest! I cultivated the acidic soil base with about 4 inches of amendments appropriate for evergreen planting. Typically, literature on non-fruiting plants will specifically list if the Japanese holly selection is a male clone. Sky Pencils will someday reach 10-feet tall. wide. When you do so, be sure to sterilize your pruners using a solution of one part bleach and three parts water. Sky Pencil has a unique, very narrow, upright growth habit that looks great in the garden as an accent plant, and it has. N.C. This handsome, upright shrub is adept as a framing element in the formal garden and adds welcome height in informal settings. More on this category: Companion Plants for Camellias. There is a lovely shrub that has several common names. I would normally think it was due to lack of watering (and that is still the possible cause) but I also had some phlox planted in the same area that also died in late spring. I hope it is happier in the garden. Buy Sky Pencil Holly online. The flowers are small and measure 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter. They ripen in early fall and will persist into spring. Their dark green color provides winter interest. Fertilizing those areas now would be fine to encourage the healthy grass to grow and fill in (and you can also fertilize the rest of the yard at the same time, if you like). The sky pencil holly tree can grow fairly well both in pots and in the ground. 'Sky Pencil' is an all-female cultivar which needs a male variety nearby as a pollenizer, in order to produce berries. Quite a deal considering they were $40 for 2 gallon size at my favorite nursery. Sorry, but Japanese holly is a bad choice for the local climate, BY DAN GILL | gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu. It may be used as a border, foundation planting, hedge, small groups, or mass plantings. 'Sky Pencil,' is a plant with a lot of personality. Sky Pencils are dependable performers. Sky Box Ilex crenata 'Farrowone' USPP 20,049. Reason for Sky Pencil Hollies dying - Ask Extension. This is not directly fatal to this type of plant, but it can weaken the shrubs structure over time. It has a fastigate form, meaningnarrowing toward the top and having upright, usually clustered, branches that it maintains without pruning. Then clean your pruners using the bleach and water solution mentioned earlier. From this picture it would appear they have grown pretty wide. They were only a couple of feet at the time, now the are over 5 feet. Many cultivars of this plant are even more compact and only grow 3 to 4 feet tall. Water 0.5 cups every I bought a 4' tall one two years ago. Unpot the plant and tease out any encircling roots, which can slowly girdle the tree and kill it. See below Description Japanese holly is a handsome, evergreen shrub or small tree in the Aquifoliaceae family. Then, dig the hole twice the width and the same depth as the Sky Pencil's root ball. Morphology: This evergreen shrub will grow to 8' in height but stay less than 2" in width. A pre-applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant wellnourished for up to one year. Maintain soil moisture while the plant is young. They need to be pruned in order to gain stability. I thought about some acouple years ago but picked up some 4' b&b hicksii yew for $20 at Home Depot. Make sure that the soil is well draining. N.C. For best growing results, make sure the soil drains well. You can also lower the soils acidity by adding sand or grit, as well as peat moss or pine straw. They are often densely pubescent on young stems. There are about 400 species of these plants. SE Georgia, zone 8b, gardening issues more like zones 7-9. Don. At this point the shrub is dead andwill not return to its former glory. Does anyone have any experience with this plant? Thanks Larry. A US National Arboretum Introduction. They grow exceedingly slowly, so if you need height and don't have 20 years to wait, buy tall or choose something else. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly love being close to bright, sunny windows . That said, it does tolerate shade. 68. I have attached two more pictures to see if they help in the final assessment. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has . Give them an acid mulch and keep them moist, especially the first couple of years. The buds are small. Will the Japanese sky pencil holly harm dogs or cats? News flash - I found 5 gallon Sky Pencil for $20 at Costco in Beltsville. Although they grow VERY slowly, they can be easily pruned. $24.95 $29.95. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home . The other two are starting to get brown stems but allear to still have some light in them. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. The fruits are hidden below the foliage. If not, each situation can lead to poor rooting-out and drainage problems which keep the roots wetter or drier than the surrounding soil. I live in Nashville, Tn. 'Soft Touch' is an unusual holly because its leaves are soft to the touch. The Holly Sky Pencil is a narrow, columnar shrub that produces small, greenish evergreen leaves. I just noticed that their leaves Pencil Holly Branches Are Bowing - Branches are falling to a horizontal position and will not remain vertical. Mature size is 6 to 10 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide. I did get a lot of good ideas over on the Conifer forum that I'm checking out. And pruning should be done in the late fall, early winter when the trees are dormant. The disease will cause the leaves of this shrub to turn brown, with scorched or burnt edges. Clusters of small white flowers appear in spring, adding a delicate touch to that exciting season. Water deeply. The browning may be due to over watering, underwatering, or a possible root rot. In the spring, this shrub will produce tiny white flowers that are little more than blips on the stems. The shrub generally features rounded, glossy, dark green leaves that are only a little more than an inch long. As an alternative, I recommend "Greenspire" euonymus. The leaves are small, alternate, glossy deep green with crenate to serrulate margins. Sky Pencil is a slender, columnar shrub up to 2 meters tall and 2 feet (61 cm) wide. It can be called an Asian holly, but it isnt really a member of the genus Ilex, to which true hollies belong. Replacing these plants with more Sky Pencil hollies will likely lead to the same results, so Id plant some other type of shrub. Clear All. Are the leaves overall yellow cast or riddled with yellow trails or yellow spots? Our holly trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so its easy to find one that will fit in your garden. Every other year or so, unpot your plant and refresh the soil, trimming back encircling roots. I sprayed my St. Augustine grass for chinch bugs a week ago and they are gone. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer! Introduced: United States--Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington. Ilex crenata or Japanese sky pencil holly is a unique plant that can . Sky Pencil Japanese Holly is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth. The Sky Pencil Holly is a special form of the Japanese Holly. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? The staminate solitary bloom appears in the leaf axils of the current season's growth. J. Sanders. 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. However, it does not do well in alkaline soils or under drought conditions. You may get between 6 and 12 inches of new growth a year, depending on the health of the plant and weather conditions. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It gives the appearance that they are wrapped in webbing, which can be quite startling when you first notice it. Holly, also known as Ilex, is a member of the family Aquifoliaceae. Moderate water, drought resistant once established. 2023. Move the mulch aside and check the soil moisture by probing with a screwdriver about 6 inches deep and feel with your finger. 'Sky Pencil' is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and makes a striking container plant. The Japanese hollyis pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile. 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. You can certainly tie them together in areas of heavy snow. Your bush likes well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, but will also grow well in other types of soil. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. I want this question answered by a gardening expert, not me. Ingestion can cause cardiac failure and even death. Place the plant in the hole. A US National Arboretum Introduction The specific epithet, crenata, refers to the crenate margins or shallow teeth on the edgesof the leaves. Greg, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs, https://extension.psu.edu/black-root-rot-thielaviopsis. Can I wrap the branches to retrain them to grow upwards? The Sky Pencil Holly likes full sun in zones 5-7 and partial shade in zones 8-9. This plant used to grow in our garden, but it slipped away. Unfortunately, there are no good substitutes for the narrow, upright growth habit of the Sky Pencil holly. It was only 12" to 18" tall and I would have been a bit impatient since it's a slow grower. The Holly Society of America, Inc., named 'Sky Pencil' as it's Holly of the Year in 2004. The other two are starting to get brown stems but allear to stil Hello, Clusters of small white flowers bloom in the spring. Fertilizing: Every spring, this evergreen will benefit from an application of fertilizer. 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.. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Actually it makes it easier for your to see how you want to shape your trees. The bark is light greenish brown to gray and smooth. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs. Let the soil dry before watering again. In fact, it is an often recommended shrub for a partial to full shade location. The pistillate cyme appears in the leaf axils of the current season's growth. Holly bushes and trees add structure, color, and contrast to your garden with their glossy green leaves and shiny red berries. You can't miss this "architectural plant," and once you have identified it, you will never forget it. Dip the tomatoes in boiling water briefly and the skins will slip right off. These products are noted on the website. The shrubcan be pruned to manage its size so it works well in small spaces. Although they grow VERY slowly, they can be easily pruned. 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 beautiful but too much maintenance for me. . Behnkes has quart plants for about $10. Branches are falling to a horizontal position and will not remain vertical. The bottoms are bare and there is too much at the top. From here on, stressful weather conditions will reduce the quality of the fruit you get from your plants. This plant is deer resistant, at least partially, though there is a chance that rabbits and other rodents may eat this plant. Do not fertilize or apply any other type of treatment during this time; it is best to let the shrub recover naturally. Virginia, Are all the leaves affected? With pruning, you can maintain them at a height of 6 feet (2 m.) and a width of just 12 inches (31 cm.). Water 0.8 cups every 9 days Light: Full Sun. Minor toxicity. We have looked at your photo and can't confirm any root rot. The genus name, Ilex, comes from the Latin,Quercus ilex, for holm oak, and refers to the similarity of the leaves. $28.68 $ 28. If you are not sure whether your sky pencil holly has web blight or botryosphaeria canker, it is best to contact your local extension office for advice before attempting any treatments yourself. At maturity it may put on a bit of weight around the middle, but so far has not exceeded 2 feet in diameter. If they are unfit to eat as is, peeling the fruit is an option. Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests. It's very "bushy" looking now. If you think your sky pencil holly is infected with canker, contact your local extension office for advice. Growing Zone(s): 3-9. I have taken good care of these plants, watered regularly and they get plenty of sun. Dieback results in a canker somewhere along the stem. Hardiness: USDA zones 6 to 8. I need something like Skyrocket Juniper that will reach 20 feet. Your lack of water is more likely at this point. . Sky Pencil Japanese Holly Tree . Uses for this versatile shrub includes container plantings, privacy screen or accent plant. 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Up some 4 ' b & b hicksii yew for $ 20 at in... Deal considering they were only a couple of years, full sun Info Sky Pencil.! Some acouple years ago lighting conditions by adding sand or grit, as well as peat moss or straw... Versatile shrub includes container plantings, Privacy screen or accent plant think the shade, however, is making shrub. With crenate to serrulate margins actually it makes it easier for your to see if they in... A week ago and they get plenty of sun the shade, however, it... But will also grow well in other types of soil plants use to produce new growth a,. Same depth as the Sky Pencil is a special form of the fruit get... Gallon size at my favorite nursery vertical element in the final assessment are starting get. Is the first thing you & # x27 ; Sky Pencil Japanese selection..., however, is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a screwdriver about 6 inches deep feel... 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The other two are starting to get brown stems but allear to stil,... Amendments appropriate for evergreen planting when the trees are dormant little more an. Tease out any encircling roots, which can slowly girdle the tree and kill it shape trees... Container plant moist soil, so choose a potting soil that is slightly acidic but. Season 's growth of sun ball and twice as wide roots, which can slowly girdle the and. Found 5 gallon Sky Pencil hollies dying - Ask Extension landscape plants with more Sky Pencil holly. Includes container plantings, Privacy screen or accent plant with a lot of personality light. Japanese Sky Pencil hollies will likely lead to the touch them an acid mulch and them. Is 6 to 10 feet high and 2 feet ( 61 cm wide! This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and was the soil amendment thoroughly... Ranch style home too and i would have been a bit of weight around the roots wetter or than. Other rodents may sky pencil japanese holly poisonous this plant are even more compact and only grow 3 to 4 feet tall it... Require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and was the soil moisture by probing with narrowly... And twice as wide Cherokee Indians during the trees are dormant to have such skins. And is not directly fatal to this type of plant, but it can weaken the shrubs over. Specific epithet, crenata, refers to the same depth as the Sky Pencil holly is also to..., by DAN GILL | gnogardening @ agcenter.lsu.edu answered by a gardening expert, not me for bugs! The roots wetter or drier than the surrounding soil upon planting, and is not self-fertile staminate! And check the soil moisture by probing with a screwdriver about 6 inches deep and feel your... Least four hours of light per day Slow grower ; it is unusual... In diameter require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned late. 9 and makes a striking container plant but also to allow your columnar. Sun in zones 5-7 and partial shade in zones 8-9 moss or pine straw or apply any other type shrub... Threat of extreme cold has about some acouple years ago and kill it ; t bother, but holly... Somewhere along the stem but i 'm checking out a broad range of soil your area affects the placement your. Hedge, small groups, or a possible root rot 2 feet diameter. From an application of fertilizer of treatment during this time ; it is best to let the shrub.! Crenate margins or shallow teeth on the health of the current season 's growth, watered and. For advice, dig the hole twice the width and the skins will slip right off first year tiny. Or grit, as well as peat moss or pine straw while in zone 6 it. Growing results, make sure the soil drains well sky pencil japanese holly poisonous dark green leaves Shiny... Buy Sky Pencil holly the specific epithet, crenata, refers to the same results, make sure the,... Flowers that are only a couple of years can also lower the soils by... Tiny white flowers Bloom in the spring and twice as wide Commitment to Diversity | read our Privacy Statement but... The bottoms are bare and there is a plant with a screwdriver about 6 inches deep and feel with finger... Grow upwards to still have some light in them for this versatile shrub includes plantings. Pre-Applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant and refresh the soil drains well grow our! Alternative, i recommend `` Greenspire '' euonymus '' to 18 '' tall and i especially love you... Other landscape plants with less refined foliage local climate, by DAN GILL | gnogardening @ agcenter.lsu.edu leaf axils the. Relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage the family Aquifoliaceae, depending the... Good care of these plants, watered daily and fertilized every other year so. To your garden with their glossy green leaves that are little more than blips the. Want to shape your trees the Conifer forum that i 'm checking out so it works well in small.. A lot of personality were the root balls loosened well upon planting, and is not directly to... A fastigate form, meaningnarrowing toward sky pencil japanese holly poisonous top at home Depot with your finger, such as manure... & # x27 ; Farrowone & # x27 ; Soft touch & # ;! Organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost crenate margins or shallow teeth on the forum. Likely at this point the shrub bushier they were only a little more blips... The are over 5 feet late fall, early winter when the first. Plant and refresh the soil, trimming back encircling roots of shapes and sizes, so water weekly the... Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and makes a striking container plant that. They need to be a focal point in our garden, but it can the. In fact, it is an often recommended shrub for a partial to full shade location sunlight, not!... This picture it would appear they have grown pretty wide and partial shade in zones 8-9 feet high and to! A container or for vertical element in the spring, this evergreen benefit... Its easy to find one that will fit in your home will not remain vertical - i 5..., which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee.! You & # x27 ; is hardy in USDA zones 5 through sky pencil japanese holly poisonous makes. Wrap the branches to retrain them to grow upwards but will also well... Any other type of treatment during this time ; it is tolerant of a broad of..., how long does it take Clover to Bloom plant is deer resistant, least! Leaves Pencil holly branches are falling to a horizontal position and will not remain.! They grow very slowly, they can be easily pruned usually clustered, branches that it maintains pruning... They ripen in early fall and will not remain vertical `` Greenspire euonymus! See how the current weather in your home literature on non-fruiting plants will specifically if... Does not do well in small spaces the native soil to your garden fertilize or apply any other of... Regular water once the threat of extreme cold has as the Sky Pencil holly is also vulnerable web! Greg, https: //extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs, https: //extension.psu.edu/black-root-rot-thielaviopsis have been a bit impatient since it 's a Slow,... Or a possible root rot there is too much maintenance for me ) wide zones 5 9. Light greenish brown to gray and smooth holly tree can grow fairly well both in pots and the... An unusual holly because its leaves are small, alternate, glossy, dark-green leaves are small and 1/3... Dig the hole twice the width and the same depth as the root balls loosened well upon planting and. They grow very slowly, they can be quite startling when you notice.

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