Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata) is grouped botanically with the broadleaf evergreen shrubs. It is a narrow, column-like Japanese holly, which is valued for its small, tightly packed leaves. It is a good landscaping option for corners, tight spaces, or just an exclamation point. Like boxwood bushes, this plant has leaves with fairly smooth edges (not prickly edges, like other hollies). The small, greenish-white flowers are unimpressive, but when pollination does occur, it produces black berries that attract many birds in search of a treat.
10' tall x 2' wide, but easy to keep shorter with an annual late-winter shearing.
Zone 5-8