NJNLA PLANT OF THE MONTH - December

Looking for something entirely different in an evergreen tree? Step right this way... we have just what you need.

Ilex x koehneana
Koehne Holly

Contributed by Patrick J. Cullina, The Rutgers Gardens, New Brunswick, NJ

The Koehne hollies comprise a series of striking trees resulting from a cross between Ilex aquifolium, the English Holly, and Ilex latifolia, the Lusterleaf Holly (Koehne and koehneana are grex names given to all products of this cross). Not widely known to be hardy in New Jersey, magnificent 25'-30' specimens can be seen throughout the Rutgers Gardens at Rutgers University.

These trees are pyramidal in habit and feature large, spiny, glossy, deep green leaves that can be as wide as 3" and as long as 5". The fruits on female plants are large, abundant and ripen to a glossy red in December. Dr. Bill Kosar of the National Arboretum is responsible for a number of successful hybrids, including Agena, Ruby, Jade (females) and Ajax (male). The most successful plants in the Rutgers Gardens over the past 30 years, however, have been Hohman, Lassie, Wirt L. Winn (females), Chieftain and Ajax (males).

Listed as hardy to USDA zone 6b, these plants have successfully survived winters more typically aligned with zone 6A and can thrive in gardens throughout much of New Jersey.