Pinus mugo is commonly known as the Dwarf or ‘Swiss Mountain Pine’ is originally from the European Alps and is a slow growing small tree growing to 8 ft.
This is a variable species, different forms grow in different areas of the Alps, some very low growing and prostrate in habit.
However many varieties are available, and the named cultivars will perform the most reliably in landscaping applications.
One of the most widely used varieties is Pinus mugo pumilo, a very attractive form that will reach 3ft over time. A good rounded shape and an excellent container plant. attractive green foliage year round means a versatile performer in the garden. (pictured right)
Varieties
When you are looking at selecting the best conifers for your garden, you can start with size, foliage color and growth habit.
- Pinus mugo v. pumilio is a very slow growing form
- Pinus mugo ‘Aurea’ is a golden form
- Pinus mugo ‘Mughus’ is a lower growing spreading form
- Pinus mugo ‘Prostrata’ makes a good ground cover
- Pinus mugo rostrata will grow to 12′ and is a nice symmetrical form.
- Pinus mugo ‘Tannenbaum’ is another symmetrical form
- Pinus mugo Turra is a mounding form
- Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ will grow to 60cm in 8-10 years
- Pinus mugo ‘Slowmound’ will grow to 3′ and is really a dwarf cultivar
- Pinus mugo ‘Carsten’s Wintergold’ is a golden form, again slow growing
- Pinus mugo ‘Columnaris’ is an interesting upright form with a spread of only 4′ but reaching 10 – 12′
- Pinus mugo ‘Enci’ is a medium form reach 6′
- Pinus mugo ‘Big Tuna’ is a larger growing form to 15′
- Pinus mugo ‘Ophir’ green foliage turning golden yellow in winter to 3′.
OTHERS INCLUDE:
- Pinus mugo uncinata
- Pinus mugo ‘Humpy’
- Pinus mugo ‘Sherwood Compact
- Pinus mugo ‘Valley Cushion
- Pinus mugo ‘Jakobsen
- Pinus mugo Tyrolean
- Pinus mugo ‘Teeny’
Care
These are a cool climate plant, and will perform best in USDA zones 3 – 8.
Excellent in the rock garden, at home in containers and they can even be planted as low hedging plants.
Also widely used as groundcovers and for foliage plants in the border.
Pinus Mugo is in fact very slow growing with some species and cultivars growing at only 4cm a year.
