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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus glabra Form
Pinus koraiensis Pinus koraiensis
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Pinus heldreichii has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Pinus heldreichii

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus hel-DRIK-ee-eye
Description

Choose a location with well-drained soil in full sun.  Does best in cool summer climates.  Its form will be conical when young, with whorled and upward-curving branches. Does best in cool summer climates, does not grow well in hot, humid areas of the south USA.

Noted for its decorative purple cones.

Bright yellow pollen cones grow in dense clusters at the base of the shoot.  Seed cones grow in clusters of 2-4 on short peduncles.  They will open when ripe.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Although there are few problems with this plant, it is susceptible to tip blight, rusts, and rots.  Insect issues include sawflies, moths, beetles, bagworms, and borers. This tree is susceptible to wind damage.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Satellit'
    Narrow, conical with dark green leaves.
  • var. Leucoder
'Satellit', var. Leucoder
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#conifer#salt tolerant#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#showy cones#pollinator plant#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#dense growth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Satellit'
    Narrow, conical with dark green leaves.
  • var. Leucoder
'Satellit', var. Leucoder
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#conifer#salt tolerant#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#showy cones#pollinator plant#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#dense growth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    heldreichii
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Balkans, Italy and Greece
    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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Oval
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1 to 3 in. cones single or cluster of 2 to 3
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy, dark green, stiff 3 in. needles in bundles of 2. Not clustered at ends of branches. Prickly.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Ridged and furrowed, flaking to leave yellow patches.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Branches are whorled and upward curving on young trees.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer