Dwarf Mugo Pine
Pinus mugo pumilio
A popular dwarf conifer displaying dark green needles on dense branches. Useful slow growing evergreen for rock gardens, mass plantings and in groupings with broadleaf plants. Also makes a great container plant.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | PY-nus MEW-goh |
| Key feature: | Rock Garden Plant |
| Plant types: | Groundcover, Conifer |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 2 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 1 - 11, 14 - 24, 32 - 45 |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 3 to 5 ft. tall, 6 to 10 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Easy Care, Showy Fruit |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Rock Garden, Topiary |
| Blooms: | Does not flower |
| Foliage color: | Dark Green |
| Item no.: | 6545 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: spring.
Design Ideas
Although Mugo Pine can grow taller with age, in the Japanese garden it is very carefully clipped into a neat mounding form. Of the small conifers, this is the easiest to grow in gardens and is often used individually or in small clusters with boulders. Has become popular as an evergreen contrast in perennial borders, but it's best used amidst other dwarf shrubs needing texture variations.
Companion Plants
Contrast the form and texture of Dwarf Mugo Pine with the Alpine beauty of Winterberry, Foamflower, Lady's Mantle and Daphne. As an addition to an Asian garden, pruned to a tight globe, pair with Peony, Japanese Maple, Rose of Sharon, Bamboo, Hinoki Cypress and Barberry.
History
P. mugo is native to the high elevation, mountain regions of Central and Southern Europe. It was first introduced into Denmark in 1798 and became widely grown in Europe commercially since 1860. It was often used to stabilize coastal sand dune areas in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Finland and Estonia. P.m. pumilio variety is native to the Alps regions of Austria and Switzerland, as well as Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and what was once Yugoslavia. While a variety of pines are popular for use in essential oils and fragrances, P. m. pumilio should not be use for that purpose due to its toxic or damaging affects.
A popular dwarf conifer displaying dark green needles on dense branches. Useful slow growing evergreen for rock gardens, mass plantings and in groupings with broadleaf plants. Also makes a great container plant.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: spring.
Design Ideas
Although Mugo Pine can grow taller with age, in the Japanese garden it is very carefully clipped into a neat mounding form. Of the small conifers, this is the easiest to grow in gardens and is often used individually or in small clusters with boulders. Has become popular as an evergreen contrast in perennial borders, but it's best used amidst other dwarf shrubs needing texture variations.
Companion Plants
Contrast the form and texture of Dwarf Mugo Pine with the Alpine beauty of Winterberry, Foamflower, Lady's Mantle and Daphne. As an addition to an Asian garden, pruned to a tight globe, pair with Peony, Japanese Maple, Rose of Sharon, Bamboo, Hinoki Cypress and Barberry.
History
P. mugo is native to the high elevation, mountain regions of Central and Southern Europe. It was first introduced into Denmark in 1798 and became widely grown in Europe commercially since 1860. It was often used to stabilize coastal sand dune areas in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Finland and Estonia. P.m. pumilio variety is native to the Alps regions of Austria and Switzerland, as well as Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and what was once Yugoslavia. While a variety of pines are popular for use in essential oils and fragrances, P. m. pumilio should not be use for that purpose due to its toxic or damaging affects.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | PY-nus MEW-goh |
| Key feature: | Rock Garden Plant |
| Plant types: | Groundcover, Conifer |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 2 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 1 - 11, 14 - 24, 32 - 45 |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 3 to 5 ft. tall, 6 to 10 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Easy Care, Showy Fruit |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Rock Garden, Topiary |
| Blooms: | Does not flower |
| Foliage color: | Dark Green |
| Item no.: | 6545 |
print this page
elsewhere in
explore plant
elsewhere in
plant catalog
explore plant
collections
Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is All-Purpose Plant Food.view soil products