Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Abies koreana 'Kohout's Ice Breaker'
Kohout's Ice Breaker Korean Fir
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 ft
- Width
- 2 to 3 ft
- Flower color
- None; produces small cones, not flowers
- Foliage color
- Silvery-blue / gray-green needles with bright white undersides
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; no pruning required
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Dense foliage offers year-round shelter for small birds and wildlife; pollen and small cones may provide food or nesting material for some birds and small mammals
About this plant
Abies koreana 'Kohout's Ice Breaker' is a dwarf, slow-growing evergreen fir with strongly curled needles that twist around the stems, revealing their silvery-white undersides. This creates an overall silvery-blue sheen across the dense foliage. When young, it grows as a globe-shaped mound, and over time may evolve into a small, broadly pyramidal form. In spring, it produces small upright cones and fresh shoots, providing subtle seasonal interest amid the silvery foliage.
Originally identified in Germany, this cultivar was selected for its compact size and ornamental foliage. It typically grows only 1-3 inches per year, making it ideal for small gardens, rockeries, or container planting where its distinct texture and year-round color can be appreciated.
Works well in
Containers · Rock Gardens · Specimen Plants · Foundation Plantings
Companion plants
Yarrow · Caryopteris · Sea holly · Winton rock rose · Penstemon · Blue fescue
Design tip
Place this distinctive conifer where its unusual texture becomes a natural focal point without competing with larger evergreens nearby. Repeat complementary mounded forms and contrasting foliage throughout the planting to create rhythm while preserving a cohesive garden composition.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Vista Gardens.
