Mountain pine (mountain pine) grows in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe: in the Carpathians, Sudetes and Alps, creating a layer of vegetation called the mountain pine layer. In the Tatras, dense thickets of mountain pine meet at an altitude of 1,500 to 1,800 m above sea level. Due to its high adaptability, mountain pine has become one of the most popular garden plants.It can be successfully grown all over the country.
Pinus mugo 'Ophir' is a unique variety due to the periodically changing color of the needles.The shrub is characterized by a compact habit and a slow growth rate. Initially, it takes a rounded form, then less regular. After 10 years of cultivation, it reaches 0.5 m in height and 1 m in width. Young shoots are short, glabrous, brown.The needles, gathered in a bunch, densely surround the shoots, during the growing season they are dark green, and in autumn and winter they turn golden to yellow-orange.
During this period, the shrubs become exceptionally attractive. With the onset of spring and the resumption of growth, the needles turn green again. The bark on old trunks does not peel off, but cracks. The shrubs develop small, initially dark brown, later brown cones, which mature only in the third year after flowering.
Kosodrzewina 'Ophir' belongs to plants that are easy to grow, resistant to drought, tolerant to salinity and varied pH of the substrate, it even tolerates air pollution.It grows well in all permeable soils, including nutrient-poor soils. All it requires is a sunny position. It is fully frost-resistant.
All varieties of mountain pine respond very well to pruning. This treatment stimulates the shrubs to maintain a dense, compact habit. The proper term for cutting mountain pines is spring, precisely when young growths appear at the tops of the shoots.Cutting is best done before the needles develop in the increments. Shorten young shoots by about half.
Thanks to this, many side buds will develop on the left sections, from which new twigs will develop in the next year.'Ophir' mountain pine looks great in rock gardens, moors and beds with conifers.Perfect for planting dry places with unfavorable growing conditions, such as roundabouts, cemeteries, roof gardens, Japanese gardens, and for all kinds of containers placed on balconies or terraces.
