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Ilex x koehneana

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks ko-nee-AN-nah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Koehne holly is an evergreen hybrid shrub in the Aquifoliaceae family.  It is a cross between I. aquifolium and I. latifolia. There are several cultivars and they can be 6-25 feet tall and wide. These hybrid hollies are dioecious (separate male and female plants) so female plants need a male pollinator in order to bear fruit. One male holly can pollinate several female hollies. Koehne Holly has a dense upright pyramidal shape with evergreen glossy spiny leaves and bright red berries in the fall.

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. 

Use this shrub or small tree as a specimen, in small groups or as a tall screen. Prune in winter if needed.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insect problems include holly leaf miner, 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.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Jade', 'Martha Berry', 'San Jose', 'Wirt L. Winn'
Tags:
#cultivars#small tree#specimen#pyramidal#multistemmed#red fruits#screening#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#dense growth#sun#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Jade', 'Martha Berry', 'San Jose', 'Wirt L. Winn'
Tags:
#cultivars#small tree#specimen#pyramidal#multistemmed#red fruits#screening#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#dense growth#sun#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers will attract bees and the fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 21 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    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 To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small round drupes are green and mature to bright red in fall. They are produced on female plants and are about 1/4 inch round.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    tiny, greenish-white to creamy-white flowers bloom in May. Flowers are fragrant but generally inconspicuous
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The dark green glossy foliage is alternate on the stem. Margins are serrated with spines. The underside is a lighter green and the shape is elliptic-long to ovate. 2-4 by 1-2 inches in size.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    Silver-gray bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth purplish buds are 0.125 inches long with an acute tip.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    English Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits