Abies koreana Kohouts Icebreaker - Korean Fir

The Abies koreana 'Kohout's Icebreaker' is a very recent variety of Korean fir, remarkable for its exceptional brightness of colour that gives it a unique presence in the garden. In spring, its young curled needles reveal a white-silver underside that sparkles in the light. This bush, round when young, grows very slowly, eventually forming a wide cone that changes colour throughout the seasons: its young needles straighten up, the foliage takes on a bluish hue, and it is adorned with small upright cones coloured dusty blue-violet. This little fir deserves a special place in a large rock garden or a small garden, where it will attract all eyes.

The Korean fir is a conifer in the Pinaceae family, found only in the mountains of extreme southern Korea. It reaches a height of 6 to 9m (19ft - 30ft) in its natural environment and has a compact habit. The variety 'Kohout's Icebreaker' is even smaller, not exceeding 60cm (23.6in) in all directions at 10 years, and 2m (6.5ft) in height and 1m (3.3ft) in spread at maturity. Its story begins in Germany in the 2010s: a 'witches' broom', an anarchic development of branches due to a fungus, was spotted on a branch of the 'Silberlocke' variety, with its sumptuous silver-backed needles. This curious growth was then grafted or rooted. 'Icebreaker' has a very dense habit, initially globose then broadly conical, supported by staggered branches where shiny needles spiral, bluish-green on the upper side, and shiny white-silver on the underside. Its new shoots gradually become variegated with green and then the bush takes on more bluish shades. This variety also stands out for its beautiful upright cylindrical cones, initially light green then powdery blue-violet or grey-purple, which appear when the plant reaches about 1m (3.3ft) in height.

The Abies koreana 'Kohout's Icebreaker' is a magnificent small conifer, whose unique personality deserves to be at the centre of a large rock garden, or to proudly stand in a small garden. It works wonders in the centre of a bed of perennials and creeping conifers. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary or Japanese garden, which emphasizes forms, silhouettes, and textures rather than flowers. These plants with strong personalities structure a bed for a long time and mark pathways or border terraces, replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for roses, peonies, or unruly grasses with a complementary temperament, which in return will showcase their intensity. The key is to play with volumes and colours.