Koehne holly is a hybrid evergreen shrub that brings year-round structure and late-spring fragrance to gardens in zones 6-9. This cross between two species, I. aquifolium and I. latifolia, grows as a densely-branched pyramid reaching 20-25 feet tall with a spread of 12-15 feet, cloaked in glossy, spiny dark green leaves. In May, tiny greenish-white flowers release a delicate fragrance before giving way to showy fruit on female plants that songbirds seek out. It handles hot summers better than many hollies and tolerates the clay soils that challenge so many ornamentals.
Partial Sun
Moderate
6-9
300in H x 180in W
—
Low
Hover over chart points for details
Koehne holly is a muscular hybrid that crosses the cold tolerance of English holly with the heat resilience of its Asian parent, making it one of the few hollies that thrives from the mid-Atlantic through the upper South. The fragrant May flowers are inconspicuous, almost hidden among the foliage, but they're followed by fruit that persists and attracts hungry birds through winter. Female plants deliver especially ornamental displays, though you'll need a male pollinator nearby for berries to set. Its narrow, pyramidal shape makes it exceptional as a tall hedge or accent shrub without demanding constant pruning.
Koehne holly serves primarily as an ornamental shrub, particularly valued for tall hedges where its naturally erect, pyramidal form requires minimal shaping. The combination of lustrous foliage, fragrant spring flowers, and persistent red berries on female plants makes it attractive in mixed borders and as a specimen planting where winter interest matters. Its ability to tolerate clay soil and part shade expands its utility in challenging garden sites.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Prune in winter if shaping is desired, though Koehne holly's naturally erect, pyramidal growth habit and dense branching require minimal intervention. The plant maintains its form without aggressive pruning.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Koehne holly emerged as a deliberate hybrid cross between Ilex aquifolium (English holly) and Ilex latifolia (a species native to Japan and China with broader leaves and superior heat tolerance). This breeding combined the cold hardiness and refined foliage of the English species with the heat tolerance and vigor of its Asian cousin, creating a holly better suited to transition zones where neither parent alone thrives reliably. The 'San Jose' cultivar designation marks its selection and propagation for garden use.”