Korean Pine ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ 10/20cm (2L)

Korean Pine ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ Pinus koraiensis is an exceptional dwarf conifer that adds winter charm to gardens throughout the year. This compact pine variety features distinctive twisted needles that create a frosty, ice-like appearance. As a slow-growing specimen, it keeps a tidy, rounded shape with minimal effort, making it ideal for gardeners seeking a permanent feature that stays within bounds.

‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ grows to roughly 1 metre in height and width over a decade, developing at a leisurely pace. Its modest proportions suit gardens of all sizes, from small urban plots to rockeries, mixed plantings, or container displays on patios and balconies. The blue-green foliage offers continuous appeal, with twisted needles creating distinctive texture that captures attention across all seasons.

This tree excels at bringing charm and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Its neat, rounded habit and quirky needle formation make it a natural centrepiece, drawing attention and adding character to garden schemes. The sculptural quality of the twisted foliage complements both structured and relaxed garden styles.

Many gardeners favour ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ for its undemanding nature and robust constitution. After settling in, it adapts to various soil conditions and handles urban pollution well, suiting city gardens perfectly. It also shows good resistance to common pests and diseases, reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.

This pine adapts to multiple garden situations. It brings lasting appeal to rock gardens, makes an unusual container specimen, or provides evergreen backbone to mixed plantings. Use it as a solo feature in compact areas, or group several together for added impact.

For those wanting permanent structure and a hint of winter enchantment in their gardens, Korean Pine ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ proves an outstanding choice. Its appealing foliage, manageable size, and straightforward care requirements make it a worthwhile addition to any garden, particularly for those seeking something genuinely distinctive.

Caring for Korean Pine ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ is straightforward, which is great news for gardeners. Plant it in a spot that gets full sun to light shade. It prefers well-drained soil but can adapt to various soil types, including poor or rocky soils. Water regularly when it’s first planted to help it establish. Once settled, it’s quite drought-tolerant but will appreciate occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells. You don’t need to feed it often – a light application of slow-release fertiliser in spring is enough. Pruning isn’t necessary to maintain its compact shape, but you can remove any dead or damaged branches if needed. Keep an eye out for any signs of needle browning or dieback, which could indicate stress. ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ is very hardy and can cope with winters without extra protection, even in exposed or coastal areas.

Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height
5–10 years

Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres