Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus flexilis Tree form (Larimer County, CO)-Early Fall
Pinus koraiensis Pinus koraiensis
Pinus wallichiana Pinus wallichiana
Pinus mugo var. pumilio has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers
Pine Needle Scale

Dwarf Swiss Mountain Pine Pinus mugo var. pumilio

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus MOO-go var poo-MIL-ee-oh
Description

A slow-growing, compact plant, with a dense spreading habit and upright branches. 

It is often grown for its beautiful foliage.

Its low, open habit can spread to up to 8'-10' wide while maintaining its relatively low height of a few feet.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage.  

 

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:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#larval host plant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#larval host plant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    mugo
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and southern Europe
    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. Bird-friendly
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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 Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Clusters of 2-4
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Monoecious (both male and female) flowers of no ornamental value
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Short, erect leaves of variable lengths. Two per cluster.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Plated appearance, scaly
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds