Evergreen Shrubs (Non-Flowering) – Sky Pencil Holly

Botanical name: ilex crenata ‘sky pencil’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: about 10 ft in height and 3 ft in width

Hardy zone: zones 6-9

Foliage color: green/blue

Growth rate: grows about 1 ft per year

Pruning instructions: trim to maintain desired shape and size as needed

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: privacy screen

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day

Special features: small non-edible purple berries in the fall

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently moist but not soggy

Fertilizing instructions : use 10-6-4 in the early spring

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: clay

Companion plants: sedums, phlox, ajuga

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: no