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Dwarf Mugo Pine Pinus mugo 'Compacta'

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus MOO-go com-PAK-tah
Description

Does best in full sun in moist, well-drained soil, however adaptable to poor, clay, and sandy soils.  For a more dense plant, the candles can be sheared back halfway.  It has a shallow root system, making transplanting hassle-free.  

Use grafted plants for true dwarf forms.  To maintain a dwarf condition, prune the new shoots when the needles are half their measured length.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage. Pine Sawfly Larvae causes chewing damage, Pine Needle Scale causes subtle long-term damage if untreated.

 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Pinus mugo.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Patio Room
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#dwarf#poor soils tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#dense growth
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#dwarf#poor soils tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#dense growth
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    mugo
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous flower open in May on mature plants.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Short, needle-like foliage
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Broken into plates on larger specimens.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    In the spring, vertical stems with miniature needles (candles)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen