{"product_id":"japanese-sky-pencil-holly","title":"Sky Pencil Holly","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSky Pencil Japanese Holly (\u003cem\u003eIlex crenata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sky Pencil')\u003c\/strong\u003e is the ultimate narrow, architectural evergreen for modern gardens with limited footprint. Naturally growing in a tight, columnar silhouette with strict, upright vertical branching, this handsome holly adds stately height without sprawling outward. Small, glossy, deep green leaves are completely spineless and soft to the touch, resembling fine-textured boxwood while holding deep color all year. Whether flanking a front entrance, screening a tight side yard, or planted in stylish patio urns, Sky Pencil delivers dependable structure and elegance with virtually no pruning required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Choose Sky Pencil Holly\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlender columnar habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reaches 6–10 feet tall while staying just 2–3 feet wide—the premier choice for tight corners and narrow boundary lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear-round evergreen structure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Densely packed, glossy dark green foliage provides constant color and formal framing in all four seasons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpineless, soft foliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike traditional prickly hollies, its smooth, rounded leaves are completely gentle along walkways and high-traffic entries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural versatility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for framing doorways, creating linear divider screens, or serving as a crisp thriller in tall decorative planters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow-maintenance performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintains its naturally rigid, vertical form on its own without needing continuous shearing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy and adaptable:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliable across USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9, withstanding urban conditions and moderate summer heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade; thrives best with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily to maintain tight foliage from base to tip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (5.5–6.5); avoid heavy, standing water or overly alkaline soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant on 2- to 3-foot centers for a continuous vertical screen; space 4–5 feet apart when staging individual architectural accents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply 1–2 times weekly during the first growing season; maintain even root moisture without waterlogging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimal pruning required; snip occasional stray shoots in late spring to maintain clean symmetry or lightly tip the leader to limit height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips as healthy, container-grown plants available in 2.5-inch pots, and quart pots, carefully packaged and ready for container potting or direct landscape planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greenwood Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Sky Pencil Holly - 2.5 Inch Pot - 1 Plant","offer_id":47548845261012,"sku":"ILE SKY PEN 2.5I-1","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sky Pencil Holly - 1 Quart Pot - 1 Plant","offer_id":47548845293780,"sku":"ILE SKY PEN QT-1","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/0966\/7796\/files\/skypencilhollyquickfactMASTER.jpg?v=1791829672","url":"https:\/\/treecitynursery.com\/products\/japanese-sky-pencil-holly","provider":"Tree City Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}