Sky Pencil Holly

5 Gallon

$99.00

1/4

Sky Pencil Holly

llex crenata 'Sky Pencil'

A sleek, columnar evergreen and superior boxwood alternative for formal accents.

$99.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Introduce a striking architectural element to tight spaces with the sleek, vertical elegance of Sky Pencil Holly. This unique holly grows with remarkable discipline, forming a dense, dark green column of soft, upright branches without the need for constant pruning. Its small, fine-textured leaves resemble those of boxwood, offering a sophisticated look perfect for framing entrances, creating living garden sculptures, or adding height to narrow borders and containers. While it brings formal structure, it's famously resistant to the pests and diseases that plague boxwood, making it a superior, low-maintenance alternative for modern landscapes.

• Distinctly Narrow, Columnar Form: Grows in an exceptionally tight, upright, pencil-like column, reaching 6-8 feet tall but only 2-3 feet wide.
• Fine-Textured Evergreen Foliage: Features tiny, oval, glossy, dark green leaves with a fine serration, similar to boxwood but more resilient.
• Superior Boxwood Alternative: Highly resistant to boxwood blight and common pests, making it a carefree substitute in formal gardens.
• Ideal for Tight Spaces & Formal Design: Perfect for framing doorways, lining driveways, creating geometric garden accents, or planting in containers.
• Low Maintenance: Its slow growth and natural form require minimal pruning. Can be sheared lightly for an even more formal hedge look.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Small, oval, leathery leaves with fine serrations resembling boxwood. Produces insignificant white-green flowers and black berries.
Mature Height: 6-8 ft
Mature Width: 2-3 ft
Growth Rate: Slow
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Ultra-narrow columnar form,Deer resistant,Low maintenance,Space-saving design
Landscape Uses:Tight-space hedges,Entryway accents,Container gardening,Formal garden structures
Special Care:Prune in early spring if needed,Protect from heavy snow loads,Mulch to retain moisture,Fertilize lightly in spring
Seasonal Interest:Foliage: Year-round evergreen,Berries: Fall through winter

Q: What are its sun and water requirements in Zone 9a?
A: In our climate, it prefers morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered light to protect from intense afternoon heat that can scorch leaves. It needs consistently moist, well-drained soil and should not be allowed to dry out completely.

Q: Does it produce berries?
A: This is a female cultivar. To produce the characteristic (but non-showy) black berries, it requires a male Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) pollinator nearby. Planted alone, it will typically not set fruit.