Mountain pine(Pinus mugo) is a very variable species that grows wild in the high mountains of Central Europe. Mountain pine, also referred to asmountain pine , is found in many interesting varieties, with different growth strength and peace. Meet the mostrecommended varieties of mountain pineand see what thegrowing mountain pine in the garden looks likeHere's everything you need to know before planting mountain pine in your garden!
Mountain pine, mountain pine
Fig. Nova, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine is a coniferous shrubreaching a height of up to 2.5 m, less often a short tree with branches lying on the ground and their tops rising upwards. The habit is variable depending on the subspecies and habitat. Stiffneedles of mountain pineare gathered in pairs in a bunch, densely attached to the stem, without a waxy coating, dark green in color.
Mountain pine looks great in rock and moor gardens , it can also be found in parks. Mountain pine looks good in flowerbeds in combination with other conifers in the garden. Some ornamental grasses will be good company for mountain pine, especially in the gravel bed.
Mountain pine, mountain pine - cultivation
Mountain pine prefers sunny locationsIt tolerates dryness and air pollution well. Mountain pine is extremely durable and easily adapts to the prevailing conditions. It works perfectly both on dry, sandy soils, peat bogs, as well as on fertile, humus soils. Mountain pine easily reproduces fromseeds, which are plentiful. There are no major problems with the cultivation of mountain pine, the plant rarely suffers from fungal diseases and is also frost resistant.
Mountain pine, mountain pine - recommended varieties
Mountain pine is a very variable species. There are at least three subspecies: mughus, pumilio, rostrata.
Mountain pine ssp. Mughusgrows shrubby, has overlapping branches, with raised tops. Older mountain pine bushes of this subspecies are loosely branched. This subspecies of mountain pine is often found in parks.
Mountain pine ssp. Pumiliois a weakly growing subspecies, up to 1 m high and 3 m wide, its habit is spread out, strongly branched, with twisted branches. This subspecies of mountain pine includes the low, shrubby forms found in cultivation.
Mountain pine ssp. Rostratagrows woody or in the form of a tall, multi-stemmed shrub with straight branches.
Recently,low, slow-growing and compact forms of dwarf mountain pinethat permanently retain their habit are very much sought after. Especially valuable for garden rockeries and small home gardens. In trade we will findvarieties of mountain pine grafted onto a low trunk , in the so-called money form. Such miniature trees look great in pots placed on terraces or balconies. Here are somerecommended mountain pine varietiesto find a place in your garden for.
Mountain pine 'Mops'
Fig. Raffi Kojian, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine 'Mops'- is one of the most popular and recommended varieties of mountain pine with a compact, regular, spherical habit. After 10 years of cultivation, the mountain pine 'Mops' reaches a diameter of 0.7 m and grows up to 1.5 in height. Its habit becomes less regular over time.
Mountain pine 'Gnome'
Fig. Agnieszka Kwiecień, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine 'Gnom'- is another slow-growing variety of dwarf mountain pine, initially spherical, in old age taking the shape of a wide, irregular cone. Reaches 1 m in diameter after 10 years. The shoots of this variety of mountain pine are very dense, and the needles are long, dark green, shiny, arranged radially on the shoot.
Mountain pine 'Humpy'
Fig. Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine 'Humpy'- if you are looking for a very slow-growing variety of dwarf mountain pine, it is worth choosing a mountain pine in the 'Humpy' variety. This shrub has a compact, flat-spherical habit with very densely arranged shoots. After 10 years of cultivation, it grows to 0.5 m in diameter and 0.3 m in height.
Mountain pine 'Pal Maleter'- differs from the above-described varieties of mountain pine, m.in a habit that takes the shape of a cone. After 10 years it grows up to 1 m and 0.6 m wide. Mountain pine 'Pal Maleter' has an interesting needle color during winter, when the needle tips turn creamy white, contrasting with the rest of the plant. The shoots of this variety of mountain pine are straight and stiff.
Mountain pine 'Winter Gold' Photo by Karduelisi, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine 'Winter Gold'- is an interesting variety of mountain pine, which in winter will enliven the garden with its bright color, because when the temperature is lower and lower, pine changes the color of the needles to a light golden shade. In spring, when vegetation begins, the needles turn green again. Mountain pine 'Winter Gold' is a dwarf, bushy form of slow-growing mountain pine, reaching 1m in height and 1.5m in diameter after 10 years.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
