Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
10/31/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Dwarf Pine is A Perfect Fit for Small Landscapes
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
Evergreens add visual strength and stability to a landscape. Three- to five-feet tall trees look great in the front yard. Over they years, though, they often outgrow their space and dominate the yard and house. This week’s Reiman’s Pick, dwarf mugo pine (Pinus mugo), may be the answer for gardeners with limited space.
Mugo pines are sometimes referred to as European Mountain Pine or Dwarf Mountain Pine because they are native to the central European mountains. They are hardy as far north as zone 2 in Canada. Its dark green needles grow one to one-and-a-half inches long and are borne two to a cluster. The needles persist about five years before they yellow and drop off. They do well in most soils, including alkaline soils commonly found in urban landscapes in Iowa. Mugo pines require good drainage and can tolerate dry conditions, which are typical of its native habitat. Although they prefer full sun, they are one of the few pines that will tolerate partial shade conditions.
When referring to dwarf mugo pines, the key word is "dwarf." Not all mugo pines stay small - depending on the variety, they range in size from five feet to 20 feet, with varying spread. The growth rate and mature size of mugo pines tends to be inconsistent, even among plants sold as the same variety. According to the definition of a "dwarf conifer" by the American Conifer Society, it should "not attain a size of more than five feet in any one direction within 10 years of normal growth." There are various size categories of dwarf conifers, based on the amount of growth each year. A "dwarf" grows one to six inches per year and will only be one to six feet tall in 10 years. On the other hand, an "intermediate" conifer will grow six to 15 feet tall in 10 years. This is important when selecting mugo pines from the garden center so check the label and cultivar carefully. For example, Pinus mugo var. pumilio, often sold as a dwarf mugo pine, is a compact, rounded plant in a nursery container. It is a variety of mugo pine that is grown from seed and grows more slowly than most other varieties. However, it can eventually become a three- to six-foot wide globe in the landscape and will need annual pruning to keep its size in check.
If you want an actual "dwarf" mugo pine, select a named variety. TRU-dwarf" mugo pines are a group of cultivars selected from seedlings and vegetatively propagated from root cuttings by Iseli Nursery in Boring, Oregon. Each plant has a consistent size and shape with mounding, tight, compact growth. Since they only grow a few inches a year, they don’t require shearing to maintain their compact form.
There are several TRU-dwarf(R) cultivars on the market. 'Slowmound’ is an outstanding new cultivar. It only grows a couple inches a year and retains its tight, round shape. It is compact enough to plant in small spaces. 'Mops’ is another TRU-dwarf" cultivar that forms a low, compact mound.
Dwarf mugo pines have many uses in the landscape or be grouped in mass plantings because they maintain a small, uniform shape. They can be grown as a foundation plant in the front of your house, in a rock garden, and even in a permanent landscape container. Dwarf conifers also add great color and textural contrast in a perennial border and will be a focal point in the winter next to dry, tan-colored plumes of ornamental grasses.
You can see a grouping of 'Slowmound’ dwarf mugo pines in the perennial border south of the Wetlands Garden at Reiman Gardens. It’s a great choice for large gardens, like 14-acre Reiman Gardens, or small, intimate garden spaces.
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