Pinus mugo
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-nus MEW-go
- Description
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Pinus mugo is a species of conifer, native to high elevation habitats from southwestern to Central Europe.It is an evergreen gymnosperm shrub that grows 15-10' long and 15-20 spread. Stems are clustered and have no strong central leader. Mature plants typically exhibit a dense habit, usually growing wider than tall. However, the form/habit is variable, usually low broad spreading and bushy. Mugo pine is also seen in more prostrate forms as well as in taller trees that will grow to as much as 80’. There is a tremendous variation in size. It normally does not produce a tap root so is easy to transplant. Prune annually in late winter to keep its compact size. This plant prefers cool summer climates and is generally tolerant of urban conditions. The name is a problem, cited as Pinus mugo subsp. mugo var. mugo f. mugo, with variations of mugo as: muggo, mugoo, mugho, mogu, moghuo, and mojo. It is commonly utilized as a container plant, foundations, and in mass planting.
This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
Does best in deep, moist, well-drained soil, loam soil in full sun or partial shade but very adaptable to poor soils, clay soils, sandy soils, dry soils and soils of alkaline pH. It is easy to transplant balled-and-burlapped.
Some issues affecting this plant are pine needle scale and sawflies as well as moths and borers. It is also susceptible to tip blight, rusts, and rot.
Quick ID Hints:
- Pine shrub with no central leader
- Needles are in twos and are very short
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Patio Room
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Columnaris'
- 'Gallica'
Upright branches, low growing and wide spreading.
'Mops'
- 'Ophir'
Mounded, flat topped, 2' tall - 'Slowmound'
Dwarf
Dwarf form
Dense spreading habit and upright branches - 'Columnaris'
- 'Columnaris', 'Compacta', 'Gallica', 'Mops', 'Ophir', 'Slowmound', var. pumilio
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Columnaris'
- 'Gallica'
Upright branches, low growing and wide spreading.
'Mops'
- 'Ophir'
Mounded, flat topped, 2' tall - 'Slowmound'
Dwarf
Dwarf form
Dense spreading habit and upright branches - 'Columnaris'
- 'Columnaris', 'Compacta', 'Gallica', 'Mops', 'Ophir', 'Slowmound', var. pumilio
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- mugo
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mountains of 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Female cones are subsessile, erect to slightly pendulous, ovoid to conical-ovoid, 1-2" long and 1/2- 1 1/2" broad.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Gray/Silver
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1 to 2 in. erect cones, matures to gray-black, many occur in clusters of 3 or 4
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are needles clustered on dwarf shoots (fascicles) in twos. They are short (1-2" long), blunt, margins finely serrulate, medium to dark green, and weakly twisted. Leaves may become yellow-green in winter.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Scaly brown-gray bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Light green vertical stems with miniature needles (candles)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer