Koehne holly is an evergreen, artificial hybrid in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a cross between the European I. aquifolium and the Asian I. latifolia . The hybrid epithet honors German dendrologist and botanist Bernhard Adalbert Emil Koehne (1848–1918). Grow these plants in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Avoid proorly drained clay soils. Although they are more heat tolerant than their parents, they will do better if given some protection from the afternoon sun in hot climates and protection from winter winds. These evergreen shrubs or trees can be 6 to 25 feet tall and wide. Koehne Holly has a dense upright pyramidal shape with evergreen glossy spiny leaves and bright red berries in the fall. Female cultivars will need a male pollinizer nearby in order to set fruit. Prune in winter if needed. Use this shrub or small tree as a specimen, in small groups or as a tall screen. It is a good choice for a winter garden or a formal English garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insect problems include holly leafminer, spider mites, whitefly and scale. Potential disease problems include leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot and powdery mildew. Plants are also susceptible to leaf drop, leaf scorch and chlorosis (yellowing of leaves in high pH soils) The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Ilex .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withIlex x koehneana 'Martha Berry'Ilex x koehneana 'San Jose'
Fills a similar nicheIlex 'Nellie R. Stevens'Ilex Oakland™ 'Magland'Ilex x attenuata Foster Hybrid Group
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 21 ft. 0 in.
The dark green glossy foliage is alternate on the stem. Margins are beset with spines. The underside is a lighter green, and the shape is elliptic-long to ovate, 2 to 4 by 1 to 2 inches.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
tiny, greenish-white to creamy-white flowers bloom in May. Flowers are fragrant but generally inconspicuous
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small round berry-like fruits are green when immature but ripen to bright red in fall. They are produced on female plants and are about 1/4-inch in diameter.
Bark detail
Silver-gray bark
Stem detail
Smooth purplish buds are 0.125 inches long with an acute tip.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Flowers will attract bees and the fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals.