Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'. I have never seen a holly grow in such popularity in such a short period of time as 'Sky Pencil'. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1985 and is probably one of the tightest plant columns around. I can't think of a better plant as an exclamation point in the landscape. Unlike so many other plants of the type, it does not fall apart with age. I have seen the original cutting grown specimens of this plant at Mr. Shibamichi's nursery in Kawaguchi City near Tokyo, and they had grown to 15', where they had been maintained. These are the plants pictured with Mr. Shibamichi standing by them below. His nephew found this selection in the wild in Japan. Who knows how large it will get at maturity. Let it grow to the height you want it and then maintain it there with a little judicious pruning. They were about 24" in diameter. It will tolerate shade to full sun and is an excellent container subject. It is a female cultivar which produces black berries if there is a male nearby to pollinate it. Make sure that it has excellent drainage. One of the few things that I have seen destroy a plant is "wet feet" inducing root rot.
Zones 6-9
