Conifer
Abies koreana Kohout's Icebreaker
Abies koreana
A stunning, slow-growing dwarf conifer, 'Kohout's Icebreaker' is prized for its unique, curled needles that recurve to reveal brilliant, waxy white undersides, creating a shimmering 'icy' effect. It typically forms a dense, globose mound when young, though it may develop a more pyramidal habit with age. It is a standout specimen for rock gardens and small-space landscapes.
Growing Specifications
- Height
- 3-4 ft
- Spread
- 3-4 ft
- Watering
- Moderate
- Light
- Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Heat Tolerance
- Low to Moderate
- Growth Rate
- Slow (1-3 inches/year)
- Soil Requirement
- Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
North Texas Micro-climate Notes
Prefers cool summers. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade and protect from drying winds. Keep root zone mulched to maintain consistent moisture.
History & Lineage
- INTRODUCED BY
- Jörg Kohout (Kohout's Gärtnerei)
- HISTORY
- Discovered as a conspicuous witch's broom mutation growing on a specimen of Abies koreana 'Horstmann's Silberlocke' at Kohout's Gärtnerei (Nursery) in Elstra, Germany, by nurseryman Jörg Kohout. After carefully monitoring and testing the stability of its extreme needle curl and dense, ultra-dwarf growth rate, Kohout successfully propagated and introduced the cultivar under the name 'Kohout's Icebreaker'. It quickly crossed into Western international markets, becoming an overnight sensation among conifer collectors and winning the American Conifer Society's Collectors' Conifer of the Year award in 2014.
Fun Fact
This cultivar was selected by the American Conifer Society in 2014 as a Conifer of the Year. Its dramatic look comes from a 180-degree needle twist that pushes the silvery undersides completely outward.
Awards
RHS Award of Garden Merit, ACS Conifer of the Year 2014