Rocky Mountain Pine Pinus flexilis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-nus FLEKS-il-iss
- Description
-
Typically a dense pyramid when young, becoming more open with age. Its needles live for 5 to 6 years. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but is very adaptable to other situations. When young, it is easy to transplant, however with age forms a large taproot. It is a long-lived good shade tree. Its young shoots can be bent without breaking. The branches are flexible, not as prone to storm damage as other pines.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree is susceptible to wind damage, though somewhat resistant. It is susceptible to white pine blister rust, a bark disease that is usually fatal.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Extra Blue'
More intense blue color and fast growing - 'Glauca'
More vivid blue-green needles - 'Glauca Pendula'
Wise spread irrigular shrub, tends to sprawl. - 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
Upright form, more rapid growth
- 'Extra Blue'
- 'Extra Blue', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula', 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Extra Blue'
More intense blue color and fast growing - 'Glauca'
More vivid blue-green needles - 'Glauca Pendula'
Wise spread irrigular shrub, tends to sprawl. - 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
Upright form, more rapid growth
- 'Extra Blue'
- 'Extra Blue', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula', 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- flexilis
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwest Canada to western US
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Birds, browsers, and small mammals consume the seeds.
- Edibility:
- Edible fruit
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Erect cones when young, turn light brown.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark bluish-green needles in bundles of 5. All side have 3 to 4 white lines. Sharp-pointed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Light gray, nearly smooth, becoming dark brown and cross-checkered with age into scaly plates and ridges.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Tough, smooth and flexible.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
