Japanese Holly

Question

I just read your article on Japanese Holly “Sky Pencil.” I am in zone 5 and just saw this plant at the local Home Depot. I would love a columnar evergreen for a narrow spot by my driveway, but I don’t think this is hardy enough to last in my zone. Your article said these do well in containers, so I’m wondering if it would survive if it brought it indoors over the winter and if it would need special care indoors? Do you have other suggestions for a columnar plant that is hardy in zone 5 that is similarly sized? (Arborvitae are too large for my space.)

Thank you very much!
Deborah Menagh

Answer 1

Thanks. The ground space is only about 2 square feet, and I've had a Dwarf Alberta there for about 14 years. It is lovely but has become much too large for the space and is intruding on the walkway. It will likely need to be removed, as I've read they don't take well to significant pruning. The Japanese Holly looked like the perfect size/shape as it's a column rather than a pyramid, and really narrow. I'll look into conifers, but I haven't seen one yet that is small enough.

Answer 2

You would not be able to winter over a Japanese Holly indoors.
There are a few Holly varieties for zone 5.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/holly-shrubs-for-zone-5.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/planting-zone-5-shrubs.htm

I would look at some Conifers. There are so many interesting shapes and textures.
Though some get very tall, the growth rate is rather slow.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-conifers-in-landscape.htm
Dwarf Alberta Spruce would be lovely.
Go visit your garden center or nursery, look for evergreens in the dwarf category.
Good luck!