Scots pineis a wonderful tree found in native forests and also perfect for gardens. It is hardy, undemanding and has many ornamental varieties of different habit and growth rate. The sale includes both fast-growing, large pines and dwarf varieties for small gardens. Get to know the most interestingvarieties of Scots pineand see how easy it isgrowing pine in the gardenWe also suggest ways to independentlypine reproduction, thanks to which you can easily enlarge your collection of trees.
Scots pine - Pinus sylvestris
Fig. pixabay.com
What does Scots pine look like?
Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris) can take the form of a tree or a shrub. It is a fast-growing species, which after 10 years reaches a height of 3-4 m. Ultimately,Scots pine can grow up to 35 m in heightThe crown of the tree is rounded, often domed. In trees growing close together, the crown begins high on the trunk, while trees growing singly have a low-set, widely branched crown.
Scots pine needles , placed 2 in a bunch, they are stiff and prickly, quite long (4 to 7 cm in length). The needles are green, covered with a bluish bloom on the underside, and fall off after 3 years. Dark greenScots pine conesturn brown over time and mature in the second year.
Scots pine - use in the garden
Scots pine seems to be underestimated by gardeners , although it is a species that can be widely used.Pine can be successfully used in urban green areas, parks and home gardens. It is worth planting bulbous plants under the pine tree, such as: Armenian grape hyacinth, narcissus, crocosmia, dwarf tulips and perennials, e.g. carnation, bellflower, geranium, sedum, bergenia, agapanthus, rudbeckia or thyme. Rocky or heather gardens can be enriched with dwarf or creepingvarieties of Scots pine , which will adapt to virtually any soil conditions.
Scots pine cones
Fig. pixabay.com
Single specimenspines with a low trunk and a wide crownwill find their place in Japanese or minimalist gardens. Surrounded by ornamental grasses (sedges, narrow-leaved Stipa, cylindrical imperata, blue fescue), stones and elements of small architecture that will emphasize its raw beauty,Scots pine will bean original garden decoration.
Scots pine - varieties
Scots pine has many varieties , created in the course of breeding work. The varieties especially worth recommending are those of smaller sizes, suitable for home gardens, or even for growing in pots and containers. Here are the especially popularScots pine garden varieties :
Scots pine 'Ksawerów- Scots pine variety with a very slow growth and a conical, compact crown. Reaches only 1 m in height after 10 years. Ultimately, it grows up to 2-3 m and 1.5 m in diameter. The long needles are slightly twisted and green, which makes the tree look very delicate. It does not tie cones. It looks best when planted singly, as a solitaire, or in a central place in flower beds and in rock gardens.
Scots pine 'Ksawerów'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Scots pine 'Fastigiata'- is a variety with an original soaring, slender, columnar habit.There is no need to form a crown. Ultimately, it reaches 10-15 m in height, with a diameter of up to 2 m. Beautiful, bluish coloring of long needles makes it a popular and desirable variety.
Scots pine 'Aurea'- this is a 10-year-old cultivar reaching about 2.5 m in height. The green needles turn bright yellow in the winter. The change is not permanent, the needles turn green again in spring when the tree starts growing. It requires a bright position, but too intense sunlight can burn the needles. The varietyScots pine 'Gold Coin'looks similar, but has more intense coloration, slower growth and slightly shorter needles.
Scots pine 'Globosa Viridis'is a dwarf variety growing up to 100 cm in height and similar diameter. Its crown has a regular, pyramidal shape and is characterized by an intensely green color. Recommended for rock and heather gardens.
Scots pine 'Albyns'- is a slow-growing, creeping variety with dense, stiff shoots.After ten years, it reaches a height of approx. 30 cm and grows to a width of 100 cm. Recommended for rock gardens, walls and dry slopes. Can be used as a ground cover.
Scots pine 'Hillside Creeper'- this is a creeping variety. It looks great when planted on walls and slopes and in pots, so that its branches flow downwards. Its bluish needles turn green in winter and return to their original color with spring. The roots of this variety are so strong that they are well suited for ground strengthening.
Scots pine - cultivation
Scots pine does not have high cultivation requirementsHowever, it is necessary to provide it with plenty of sun. It can grow in any dry and well-drained soil. It prefers acidic soils and is able to provide it by itself - it is enough not to rake fallen needles from the tree, which decompose and acidify the soil.
Scots pine can withstand both low and high temperatures.It is also resistant to soil and atmospheric drought. Despite its high resistance,pine does not tolerate polluted air , so it is not suitable for planting in urban areas with a high concentration of atmospheric pollutants.
Pine seedlings bought in containerscan be planted all year round, while those purchased with the root ball open, it is best to plant them in early spring or autumn. The fall term is more favorable due to the greater amount of rainfall young trees require to root properly.
Young shoots of Scots pine
Fig. depositphotos.com
Scots pine does not need to be fertilized planting. Then it does not make sense, because over-fertilized pine is excessively exposed to fungal diseases that attack pine trees.
Scots pine is completely frost-resistant(plant hardiness zone 3) and can be planted all over Poland. It does not require covers for the winter, with the exception of young plants. During dry and sunny winters, plants are exposed to physiological drought. It is worth protecting them from wind and sun, and preventing water loss by mulching the soil under the plants immediately after planting. Pine bark is a perfect mulch.
Scots pine - pruning
"Pine tolerates gentle shaping wellPrune the young growths every year, thus maintaining the desired shape and density of the crown. The treatment is best performed in spring, while the shoots are growing, but before the needles develop. Fresh, green growths, the so-called candles. The plant is then able to develop new shoots below the pruning site and the needles are not damaged. Candles can be shortened to slow down the growth of the plant, but you can also break them completely if the pine tree has reached the expected size."
Scots pine - reproduction
In garden cultivation, pines can be reproduced in two ways:
Pine propagation by sowing seeds- most often we obtain new Scots pine plants by sowing seeds. Scots pine seeds require a monthly stratification period, i.e. awakening from dormancy by keeping the seeds in a moist substrate at a temperature of up to 5 ° C. The seeds prepared in this way are sown when the first sprouts appear. It is best to place the seeds in pots filled with acid peat or a peat substrate mixed with sand (in a 1: 1 ratio), covering them with a 2 cm layer of peat followed by sand. Place the pots in a shaded place and make sure that the substrate does not dry out. In spring, the seeds begin to germinate. As a permanent place, it is best to plant young plants in early summer, when the air temperature will be approx. 20-25 ° C.
Scots pine seedlings
Fig. depositphotos.com
Pine propagation by cuttings- Scots pine cuttings are obtained in the period from mid-August to the end of September. We select side shoots, tearing off this year's growth with a heel. The length of the cuttings should be about 10 cm, and in dwarf varieties about 3-5 cm. Place the seedling 2-3 cm deep in a pot filled with acid peat or a peat substrate with the addition of sand (1: 1 ratio). Cover the containers with the seedlings with foil or glass, remembering to air them frequently to prevent fungal diseases from appearing. Beginning in mid-March, cuttings begin to take root. After 1-2 years, young plants can be planted in a permanent place.When we tear off the cuttings with a heel from the mother plant, remember to protect the places on the old pine after removing the cuttings with garden ointment.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
