Pinus mugo var. pumilio
Description
Give your garden beds an edge with the Dwarf Mugo Pine. This popular dwarf conifer is a slow-growing and broad-spreading evergreen that’s perfect for rock gardens, foundation plantings, mixed groupings and more. With a compact footprint, it also makes a great specimen for growing in containers. The Dwarf Mugo Pine can reach up to 3-5 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, but this slow grower remains smaller in most landscapes. Its dark green needles grow stiff and upright, making it ideal for adding texture to garden beds alongside perennials or other dwarf shrubs.
Grow the Dwarf Mugo Pine in its natural, shrubby form, or carefully prune it into a neat mound, as is common in Japanese gardens – it will look great either way.
The best part? This Dwarf Mugo Pine is incredibly easy to grow. It’s extremely cold hardy (down to Zone 2), but can tolerate heat and humidity up to Zone 8, too. It’s low-maintenance and bird-friendly. It will stand up to cold winters with ease, maintaining its deep green foliage year-round.
If you’re looking for a dwarf shrub that provides year-round interest for your garden, patio, or walkways, the Dwarf Mugo Pine is a great choice.
Planting
Dwarf Mugo Pines prefer rich and well-draining soil. Be sure that the planting location receives full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. When planting, dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep. Keep the tree straight and tamp the soil down as you fill the hole to prevent any air pockets from forming. Water the planting site when finished to settle the soil, and mulch around the roots to keep grass and weeds at bay.
Watering
Like most other pines, the Dwarf Mugo Pine will benefit from a weekly watering schedule until it has become more established. Water deeply and regularly for the first growing season – you can reduce watering frequency once established. After it’s settled, natural rainfall should suffice, although you can water more in times of heat or drought.
Fertilizing
During the dormancy period (late winter to early spring), be sure to remove any damaged, diseased or dead branches away from the tree. If needed, you can prune your Dwarf Mugo Pine into a neater, more manicured shape.
Pruning
Feed with a general-purpose, well-balanced fertilizer before new growth emerges in spring.
| Growing Information | |
| Mature Height: | 3-5 ft |
| Mature Width: | 6-10 ft |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time: | |
| Growth Rate: | Slow |
| Grows Well in Zones: | 2-8 |
| Your Growing Zone: | 6 |
