Sky Pencil Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' 

Foliage: Dark green
Fall Foliage: N/A
Fruit: Black berry
Habit/Form: Columnar
​Uses: Foundation, hedge, vertical accent

Zone Hardiness:  5 
Plant Height:  6 - 8 ft
Plant Width: 2  ft 
Light: Sun/part shade
​Growth Rate: Medium

Sky Pencil Japanese Holly is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its rigidly columnar form. It sports small, white, four-petaled flowers in the late spring that tend to attract bees and other pollinators. The flowers give way to small, black, rounded berries from mid fall to late winter. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The small glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard.