Sky Pencil Holly

Add some life to your home. Plant a Japanese Sky Pencil Holly on each side of your front door. Or how about on each side of a window? This evergreen is great for accenting areas of your home with some height.

Fast growing and low maintenance, no wonder the Sky Pencil is so popular. The Sky Pencil is a hardy plant that has small, glossy, dark green leaves year round. New growth emerges light green but darkens up with age.

This Holly Tree can get up to 10 feet in height, but stays very narrow at 2-3 feet wide at maturity. Let them grow to the height you would like, and then just keep the top trimmed.

Be sure to choose the appropriate location for your Sky Pencil Holly. As long as you avoid extreme temperatures you can plant your Holly almost any time of the year.

Hollies tolerate full sun to part sun. They prefer a slightly acidic soil, but tend to adapt just about any well draining soil. After planting, adding a layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch will help keep the soil moist. Mulching is highly recommended in cooler zones to protect the plant's roots in winter as well. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Water your Holly deeply a couple times a week for the first few months. After Sky Pencils are established, they only need watered during hot, dry spells. Fertilize in spring with a slow release fertilizer for broad leaf evergreens. Sky Pencils don't require pruning, but they tolerate it well if you prefer to keep them a certain size. Heavy pruning is best reserved for late winter or early spring. In cooler zones, 5 and 6, protect your sky pencil holly from wind.

The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success. Mites and scale are insects that can occasionally affect Sky Pencil Hollies. These can be treated with horticultural oil. For severe infections the pesticide Bonide is recommended. Avoid saturated soils to prevent fungal issues in Hollies.

Looking for a plant to plant your new Sky Pencil Holly?  How about one on each side of your front door.  They will match and provide a really nice entry way into your home.  If you would like to get creative, plant a cluster of 3 in an area that could use some height.  Plant one on each side of your window.  There are so many possiblilities!

Looking to screen an area but don't have much space?  Plant a sky pencil holly ever 2-3 feet for a nice privacy screen.  They will stay narrow and grow together providing a cool looking hedge. Perfect for a tight screening around garbage containers or ac units. 

The possibilities are limitless with the sky pencil holly. They look great next to drift roses, Kaleidoscope abelia, and dianthus. Get creative, and enhance your landscape.