Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) is a distinctive evergreen shrub prized for its narrow, columnar growth habit. Unlike most hollies, it has smooth, boxwood-like leaves rather than the traditional spiny foliage, giving it a softer look that works in both modern and classic landscapes. Its upright form makes it perfect for tight spaces, and it can be used as a vertical accent, natural privacy screen, or clipped into a formal hedge.
Sky Pencil also thrives in containers, where it adds strong architectural interest to patios, entryways, and courtyards.
Sky Pencil Holly Care
Plant Sky Pencil Holly in well-drained soil with consistent moisture, especially during the first year as it becomes established. Water weekly, and increase frequency during drought or high heat. It tolerates a range of soils but performs best in slightly acidic conditions.
Minimal pruning is needed, but trimming can help accentuate its narrow, upright form for a more formal appearance. Mulching at the base helps maintain soil moisture and protects roots.
Sky Pencil Holly Growth & Spacing
This slow-growing evergreen typically reaches 8–10 feet tall with a slender width of only 2–3 feet, making it ideal for urban gardens or areas with limited space. Space plants 3–4 feet apart in the landscape, or 2.5–3 feet apart when planting as a formal hedge to achieve a continuous, vertical screen. In containers, select a large pot to accommodate root growth and provide winter protection in colder climates.
Why Grow Sky Pencil Holly?
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Unique narrow columnar habit — ideal for tight spaces and vertical accents.
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Versatile design uses — great for hedges, privacy screens, containers, and focal points.
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Low-maintenance evergreen — retains glossy green foliage year-round with minimal pruning.
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Non-spiny leaves — smoother than traditional hollies, resembling boxwood foliage.
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Architectural impact — adds structure and elegance to both formal and contemporary gardens.
Sky Pencil Japanese Holly Plant Facts
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Flower Color(s): n/a |
| Bloom Period: Grown for Foliage |
| Foliage Color(s): Dark Green |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: 6-8 Feet |
| Spread: 2-3 Feet |
| Habit: Compact |
| Watering: Medium |
| Features: Vertical Accent Plant |
| Scientific Name: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' |
| Common Name: Sky Pencil Japanese Holly |
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!