Japanese holly

Japanese holly should be watered deeply and evenly once every week, but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. For newly planted hollies, water them more regularly until they become established. During the summer months, it may be necessary to water them more frequently and with greater volumes of water, however, avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot. During the fall and winter months, when the plant is dormant, you may water less frequently.

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') prefers full sun or partial shade. It will tolerate full shade, although if planted in complete shade, it will not be as vigorous. 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal for this plant, but if possible, avoid the hot midday sun. This plant is relatively drought-tolerant, but it is important to water when the soil is dry to the touch.

Japanese holly should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter and again in mid-summer. During late winter when the plant is still dormant, you should prune any existing dead, broken or diseased branches. This will stimulate a dense, compact growth habit. During the summer, prune lightly to create a desired shape and to maintain the size of the shrub. Make sure not to prune more than 1-third of the plant at a time. That is to say, don’t prune more than 1-third of the total canopy in 1 session. This will prevent shocking the plant and ensure it remains healthy.