Dwarf Swiss Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo var. pumilio
Other Names: Dwarf Mugo Pine
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 2a-7b (East); 2a-8b (West) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Shrub
Height at Maturity: 3-5′, can be kept smaller with annual pruning
Width at Maturity: 6-10′
Spacing: 3-4′ for mass plantings; 12′ or more for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Broad Mound
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: White candles
Flower Size: NA
Flowering Period: NA
Flower Type: NA
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: Yes
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun
Water Needs: Very Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained to Dry when established
Soil pH: 4.0 – 7.5 (Acid to Moderately Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil (when established), Insect, Rabbit, Salt Air
Description
The Dwarf Swiss Mountain Pine, also known as the Dwarf Mugo Pine, is a slow-growing coniferous evergreen shrub forming a dense, cushion-shaped mound with short, dark green needles that provide a very unique look and texture in the landscape. Attractive, vertical white “candles” emerge at the tips of every stem in spring providing more interest. These candles, which become the new branches, can be pruned by up to 50 percent of their length to maintain a smaller, more dense shrub. Excellent in rock gardens, home foundation plantings and the perfect compliment to ornamental grasses and Japanese maples and other small trees. You’ll find detailed but simple Mugo Pine pruning tips here.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing to about 3 to 5 feet tall in a mound 5 to 10 feet wide depending on pruning, the Dwarf Swiss Mountain Pine is ideal for use as a specimen, in spaced grouping, or as a low hedge in sunny landscape borders and home foundation plantings. A very nice companion for small trees such as the Japanese Maple and Crape Myrtle, to mention a few. A fine addition to conifer gardens, coastal gardens (salt air tolerant), rock gardens and the Xeriscape (low water need) gardens. Is also suitable for growing in pots and other containers and for bonsai.
Spacing: 4 feet apart for hedges or solid groupings; 8 to 12 feet apart depending on pruning for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Though exceptionally drought tolerant when established, the Dwarf Swiss Mountain Pine is easy to grow in most any moist but well drained soil of average to low fertility and full to mostly sun. We suggest at least 7 hours of direct sunlight per day. They grow well in sandy soils and are tolerant of well-draining clay soils. It does not like wet feet so make sure you choose a planting site that has very well drained soil. As with so many other ornamental shrubs, constantly soggy soil can cause problems with the roots and death of the plant. Salt air tolerant so great for coastal gardens. Does not require pruning however can be its candles can be trimmed annually by up to 50% of their height to maintain a smaller plant.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to find helpful planting and care advice from our experts.
How To Plant & Care For Mugo Pine
How To Prune Junipers & Other Conifers
How To Measure Square Feet of A Planting Area
Plant Long & Prosper!
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