Ilex Crenata Sky Pencil
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a unique cultivar of the Japanese Holly, renowned for its narrow, columnar form and striking architectural appeal. Belonging to the Aquifoliaceae family, this evergreen shrub hails from Japan and is prized for its distinctive growth habit, making it a standout choice for modern landscapes, formal gardens, and container plantings. 'Sky Pencil' is well-suited for Australian gardens, particularly in temperate and subtropical regions, where it adds vertical interest, structure, and elegance to outdoor spaces.
Height and Width
- Height: Typically grows upright, reaching a height of 1.5 to 2 meters, though it can reach up to 3 meters with maturity.
- Width: Maintains a narrow, columnar form with a width of only about 30 to 60 centimeters, creating a slender, pencil-like silhouette.
Soil Type
- Soil Preference: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a loamy or sandy texture. It prefers soil that is slightly acidic to neutral and rich in organic matter. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. It is adaptable to various soil types but performs best in soil that is moist but not waterlogged.
Plant Description
- Foliage: The shrub features small, glossy, dark green leaves that are oval or lance-shaped and densely packed along the stems. The foliage provides a lush, verdant backdrop for the slender, upright growth habit, adding texture and visual interest to the landscape.
- Growth Habit: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' has a narrow, columnar growth habit, with tightly packed branches that create a vertical accent in the garden. The shrub maintains its form without the need for pruning, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, narrow spaces, or as a focal point in mixed borders.
- Flowers and Fruits: While 'Sky Pencil' may produce small, inconspicuous white flowers in spring, they are typically not significant ornamental features. Female plants may develop small, black berries in fall, which add seasonal interest but are generally not as prominent as the foliage and form.
Cultivation and Care
- Watering: Provide regular watering to establish young plants and during dry periods to maintain soil moisture. Once established, Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from consistent moisture during the growing season. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Sunlight: 'Sky Pencil' thrives in full sun to partial shade, though it prefers some protection from intense afternoon sun in hot climates. Plant in a location with ample sunlight for best growth and form.
- Temperature: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is well-adapted to the Australian climate and thrives in temperate and subtropical regions. It tolerates mild winters and moderate frosts but may benefit from protection during extreme cold snaps. Plant in a sheltered location or provide frost protection as needed.
- Pruning: 'Sky Pencil' typically requires minimal pruning to maintain its narrow, upright form. However, you can trim stray or wayward branches as needed to enhance its shape or remove any dead or damaged growth. Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges.
- Fertilising: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser formulated for evergreen shrubs in spring to promote healthy growth and foliage. Alternatively, use a liquid fertiliser for ornamental shrubs every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Avoid excessive fertilisation, as it can lead to lush foliage at the expense of overall form.
Additional Notes
- Pests and Diseases: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is relatively resistant to pests and diseases but may be susceptible to issues such as scale insects, spider mites, and root rot in poorly drained soil. Monitor regularly and treat promptly if pests or diseases are detected.
- Uses: Ideal as a vertical accent, specimen plant, or container plant in gardens, landscapes, and urban spaces. Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' adds architectural interest, structure, and elegance to outdoor environments, making it a versatile and eye-catching choice for modern and formal garden designs.
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is a distinctive and elegant shrub that offers vertical interest and architectural appeal to Australian gardens. With its narrow, columnar form and glossy foliage, it creates a striking focal point and adds a touch of sophistication to outdoor spaces, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a stylish and low-maintenance plant.
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Delivery Options
Plant Delivery Australia Wide - Rates & Prices
We can organise Plant Delivery all over Australia - if your area is not on the list let us know and we can get back to you with a Quote based on your Quantity and how efficiently we can get your load packed
The more plants we can pack on the Trolley or Pallet the better the economics of Plant Delivery will be
Pre loaded Prices at the check out are based on Per Trolley rate.
There are times that you may order more than a trolley and we can provide a quote based on the Per Pallet rate - if you add your items to the cart then hit us up and we will get back to you with the most economical options
Please NOTE we dont charge your credit card payment until we make contact with you and confirm the load and stock availability
Examples of how many plants you can fit on a trolley
on average depending on the size (height) of the plant we can fit between 12-15 Nursery trays of plants on a trolley
we load the following plant numbers into nursery trays
- 12 x 140mm Plants
- 5 x 200mm Plants
- 3 x 250mm Plants
we can work out for you the most economical way to get the plants to you once you have completed the order online
and remember, we dont charge your card until we confirm the order with you
Examples of how many plants you can fit on a Pallet would be
- 13 x 400mm Pots
- 25 x 300mm Pots
- 40 x 250mm Pots
- 60 x 200mm Pots
we can also pack mixed pallets and trolleys using the biggest plants on the base load and packing the smaller ones around and inside the gaps on the pallets.
All Deliveries are to Kerb Side only
Plants are Delivered using specialised Plant Couriers and all plants are maintained along the journey of getting from our Nursery to your place
If you have any Questions about Plant Deliveries please hit me up using the chat button and i can get back to you with more details
Kindest Regards
Jason Kay
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
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- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting