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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus flexilis Tree form (Larimer County, CO)-Early Fall
Pinus glabra Form
Pinus ponderosa Pinus ponderosa
Pinus parviflora has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Pinus parviflora

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus par-vi-FLO-ra
Description

A very popular landscape plant with relatively few problems when planted in an area with cooler temperatures and good drainage.  A plant that is somewhat tolerant of urban conditions, the heat and humidity of the deep south do not lend to a healthy growing environment.  

Broadly columnar, wide-spreading branches; dense in youth; becomes flat toped with age becoming picturesque.

In its native habitat can grow much larger than if grown in cultivation.  

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

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aoba Jo'
    Short, curved bright blue needles
  • 'Aoi'
    Narrow, upright with curved blue-gray needles in tight bunches
  • 'Azuma'
    Silver-blue incurved needles
  • 'Brevifolia'
  • 'Gimborn's Pyramid'
    A rare, compact form, grows to 10'
  • 'Glauca'
    Blue-needles version
  • 'Kokonoe'
    A popular choice for bonsai
'Aoba Jo', 'Aoi', 'Azuma', 'Brevifolia', 'Gimborn's Pyramid', 'Glauca', 'Kokonoe'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#deer resistant#nighttime garden#picturesque#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#larval host plant#urban conditions tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aoba Jo'
    Short, curved bright blue needles
  • 'Aoi'
    Narrow, upright with curved blue-gray needles in tight bunches
  • 'Azuma'
    Silver-blue incurved needles
  • 'Brevifolia'
  • 'Gimborn's Pyramid'
    A rare, compact form, grows to 10'
  • 'Glauca'
    Blue-needles version
  • 'Kokonoe'
    A popular choice for bonsai
'Aoba Jo', 'Aoi', 'Azuma', 'Brevifolia', 'Gimborn's Pyramid', 'Glauca', 'Kokonoe'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#deer resistant#nighttime garden#picturesque#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#larval host plant#urban conditions tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    parviflora
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan and Korea
    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: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Pyramidal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Oval reddish-brown cones
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Slightly twisted needles in bundles of 5 with a white stripe and silvery underside
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, scaly bark is gray, ages to a scaly darker gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Poor Soil
    Urban Conditions