Mine took a beating this winter. But not sure if it was the winter or the fact that I possible don't have Male/female plants. A lanky sky pencil holly might just flop over and turn into a splayed out weeping holly. Root rot and other problems can occur with heavy, wet soils. 1 reason for this - especially for a new transplant planted in summer. Applying a slow release fertilizer once a year to the top of the root ball will help greatly with these problems. Tolerates mild drought, when established. About Sky Pencil Holly. in length. Pencil Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata'): Sometimes we might need a plant with a narrow form that is not a tall tree. Sky Pencil Holly is a narrow, columnar shrub ideally suited for small areas. A particular root rot disease known as mushroom root rot can be diagnosed by … Planted in a large container, it makes an elegant formal appearance. Prefers average to moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. "...I need to know how much water they need as I will have to provide it." Once an evergreen like a Japanese holly drops its leaves, the root system is already dead. You need to test your soil down at root level to find out how your soil drains. Ilex Crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a moderate growing shrub that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 9B. But the similarities end there. How to increase the moisture retention ability of the soil? Read on to find out how to plant a Sky Pencil holly and how easy it is to care for this interesting plant. With pruning, you can maintain them at a height of 6 feet (1.8 m.) and a width of just 12 inches (30 cm. This plant prefers light, moist, acidic soils with good drainage. Weed Control: If weeds begin to invade the planting area around your Sky Pencil Holly, simply remove them making sure to take out the entire root system of the weed if possible; otherwise, use a … ... they have not had enough time to establish a large enough root system and shallow, frequent waterings only tease them and place the plants under further stress. Fast growing and low maintenance, no wonder the Sky Pencil is so popular. Feed in early spring and fall.Uses: To fill small places in a sunny landscape area, dense narrow hedge, decorative accent, container and privacy screen. The Sky Pencil is an evergreen shrub that has small, glossy, dark green leaves year round. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Fertilization: Fertilize your Sky Pencil Holly tree once annually with a slow-release fertilizer. Dark green foliage stays neat year-round, and often sports small purple berries in fall. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer in spring. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 60 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen 3.9 out of 5 stars 10 $154.98 $ 154 . Small black fruits follow the tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. Habit: Narrow, upright columnar habit. Evergreen. This Holly Tree can get up to 10 feet in … ‘Sky Pencil’ is a very distinctive, upright or as a low, narrow hedge. I purposely bought the Sky Pencil Holly for against my sidewalk entry to my house up against the garage wall. This evergreen will tolerate pollution, so it would even make a good addition to an urban landscape. Fertilization: Fertilize your Sky Pencil Holly tree once annually with a slow-release fertilizer. Deer Resistant Sky Pencil Holly Shrub. In a Container Because this shrub does not have an invasive root system, it can be grown in containers. It is extremely narrow and can grow 8-10 feet tall with only a 2-foot width, but it can also be kept shorter through pruning and shaping. The 'Sky Pencil' holly shrubs--foundation planted along a fairly long, western exposure, windowless, brick Garage wall--died. History & Lore. Holly belongs to the genus Ilex, which includes several commonly cultivated shrubs grown for their dark-green, spiny foliage and showy crimson berries. Weed Control: If weeds begin to invade the planting area around your Sky Pencil Holly, simply remove them making sure to take out the entire root system of the weed if possible; otherwise, use a … Latin Name: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub. Propagating holly should be done while the bush is dormant. Sky Pencil Holly, native to Japan, is one of the most beautiful trees for small gardens. 98 Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 10 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen 3.9 out of 5 stars 10 If your Sky Pencil is healthy, it should put up new canes from the roots. Holly cuttings are made from canes of new growth that have been removed from the holly bush. However, I’ve also read that the “major” large roots are only about as wide as the crown of the tree. ‘Sky Pencil’ was intro­ duced by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1992. This may refer to Pythium, Phytophthora,and Thielaviopsis black rot. Sky Pencil Holly problems that may arise include black rot, green leaves turning brown or black, web blight, or leaf spots that turn into yellow spots. New growth emerges light green but darkens up with age. This is more likely a result of a mistake during the initial planting. Evergreens prefer an acidic fertilizer. After first year Holly Bushes needs water just at the dry spells. At maturity it may put on a bit of weight around the middle, but so far has not exceeded 2 feet in diameter. Affected plants have dark brown to black roots where the fungus is growing in or on the root tissue. Sky Pencil is a cultivar of the Japanese holly Ilex crenata. Amazon.com : Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - 50 Live Plants - Ilex Crenata - Formal Low Maintenance Evergreen : Garden & Outdoor Sky Pencil Holly has dense dark green foliage and a vertical growth habit that can bring vertical interest to your landscape. Comment About Planting Plant Sky Pencil holly in well-drained soil in full to mostly sun. Poor soil aeration weakens holly roots, allowing fungi to invade and cause considerable damage. Full sun. The name itself reveals its slender shape. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly - Unique and with a style all its own, Ilex crenata, commonly known as Japanese holly or box-leaved holly, is a dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10’ tall and wide with dozens of uses in the landscape. How to Propagate Holly Shrubs. This Japanese holly “sky pencil” plant arrived in great condition (see picture), and the plant was nicely placed in its container with plenty of soil. Makes an elegant, bold statement in large containers. The plant was discovered in the wild on Mount Daisen, near Honshu, Japan. The amount of water they need will depend on the circumstances. Prune annually to shape. Sky Pencil Holly: 5-9: ... A general rule of thumb is that the total root system will be around 2x wider than the crown of a particular tree. Evergreen in zones 5-9, this lovely landscape tree is fairly low-maintenance. Also, like 'Hetz', it bears tiny leaves and black-colored berries. Dark green foliage holds its color year round, sporting purple berries in fall. Useful to fill those narrow spots in foundation plantings, as a … Grows 6 to 8 ft. tall and 2 to 3 ft. wide. If your holly is deciduous, this means your cuttings won’t have any leaves on them. Sky Pencil Holly was first introduced back in 1985 by the U.S. National Arboretum, and has increased in popularity in the landscape industry with each passing year. This form of Japanese Holly only grows to about a metre and a half tall. A healthy plant assumes you have the right plant in the right place. A very distinctive holly, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a slow growing, narrow, strongly columnar evergreen Japanese Holly with a shiny foliage of convex, dark green leaves, which holds all year. Great for a hedge, specimen, privacy screen, container, entry way accent and Zen/contemporary garden. The narrow, columnar form, is just right for small areas. Light Requirements: Full Sun. Like the 'Hetz' cultivar, 'Sky Pencil' is an Ilex crenata (Japanese holly). Moisture: Regular water schedule to ensure the growth of a mature root system. Root Rots "Sky Pencil" holly specimens require fast-draining soils that allow oxygen to reach their roots. It happens once the soil where it is planted retains moisture as this can prevent the penetration and circulation of oxygen. Consistently wet soils can cause problems with the roots. It matures to an average height of 6 feet to 10 feet and an average width of 1 foot to 2 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is an 8- to 10-foot tall evergreen holly that grows like a narrow exclamation mark only 12 to 18 inches across. Lack of water is the No. Sky Pencil hollies are narrow, columnar shrubs that grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m.) tall and 2 feet (.6 m.) wide. Note that the Sky Pencil Holly grows slowly during the first few years, so if you are thinking of using them as a privacy screen, you will see the benefits in the years to come. So, if a tree has a spread of 20′, I suppose the root system could be anywhere from 20-40′. I love the look and don't entend to have anything but the skypencil against that wall. 'Sky Pencil' is a female cultivar which needs a male pollinator in order to produce fruit. Hollies with diseased roots appear weak, and branches, sections, or the whole plant can die. ). Sky Pencil Japanese Holly Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' ... Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. All About 'Sky Pencil' Hollies In 2 Minutes - In this video I go over the basics of 'Sky Pencil' Hollies. Outstanding evergreen plant for vertical accent, entryways or privacy screening. Black root rot, caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis basicola in "Sky Pencil" holly and other Japanese hollies, attacks the root system. The website below shows some possible fungi, which are fairly easy to ID. Fertilizer: Suggest a well-balance fertilizer like a 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 or even a Holly-toner. Once you have these canes, you can cut them into pieces about six inches (15 cm.) The cultivar name of this plant gives a good indication of its signature feature—this is a bush that is extremely narrow relative to its height. Outstanding for use as vertical accent, near entryways or as a privacy screen. 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