The best varieties of dwarf pine and their characteristics

Landscape designers often use dwarf pines when landscaping small areas. Conifers on the site allow you to create spectacular landscape compositions.

Thanks to the variety of varieties of dwarf pines, each owner will be able to choose the perfect option for green spaces.

Any of the varieties of mountain pine can be planted on a flower bed, lawn or alpine slide. You can also grow conifers in tubs and containers.

What is a dwarf pine

Dwarf pines are conifers that are a species of mountain pines. There are more than 100 varieties of trees, whose homeland is considered to be the mountainous southern regions of the country and central Europe. Most of the pines in natural conditions grow on the territory of the upper boundaries of mountain forests.

The unpretentiousness of the plants is undoubtedly an advantage. Coniferous culture will not only effectively decorate any site design, but also, due to the presence of healing properties, will help:

• purify the air;
• relieve stress;
• normalize blood pressure.

Dwarf pines have spherical outlines. The growth of coniferous stands is slow. The maximum height of dwarf trees reaches 120-140 cm. The planting grows by 2.5-5 cm annually. The conifer plantation can be propagated by cuttings. The shade of the needles of most varieties is dark green. Short shoots are dense enough.

For disembarkation, it is recommended to select well-lit areas on the site. In the first weeks after planting the seedlings, it is necessary to shade them with a special garden net. The soil for planting must be well drained.

Note! An evergreen unpretentious shrub tolerates a haircut perfectly.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of dwarf pines, landscape designers distinguish:

1. Possibility of growing in small areas.
2. Durability.
3. A variety of varieties that differ in shape, color of needles and crown size.
4. The ability to trim the bushes in order to give them the desired shape.
5. Ease of green space maintenance.

Among the disadvantages are:

1. weak resistance to fungal infections (it is necessary to carry out treatment with fungicides and remove dry parts of the bushes);
2. frequent breaks of branches from gusty wind;
3. short life span;
4. difficulties with reproduction (shoots obtained by cuttings are poorly rooted).

Most coniferous plant problems can be avoided with proper care of the shrub.

Popular varieties of dwarf pines

Below are the best varieties of dwarf pines, which are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and chic appearance.

Benjamin

The variety is distinguished by the presence of a dense uniform crown, which resembles the appearance of a ball. 10 years after planting the seedling, the height of the planting reaches 90-95 cm, and the width can be equal to 70 cm. Erect shoots are covered with dense needles that look shiny in the sun and are characterized by increased rigidity. The buds of the plant are colored in white.

Seedlings can be planted in sunny and slightly shaded areas. For planting, you will need drained alkaline soil. The pine species is characterized by frost resistance and lack of susceptibility to diseases.

Landscape designers plant Benjamin pine near:

• birches;
• ate;
• larch;
• Rumelian pine.

Makopin

The height of the green planting reaches 100 cm. Elongated soft needles are painted in bluish-green shades. Hanging cones are concentrated on the upper shoots. Gradually, the green buds turn brown. The plant can be planted in well-lit and shaded areas. Wetlands are best avoided.

Ophir

Dwarf pines naturally have a wonderful spherical shape. Over the years, it changes and takes on a flat-head shape. Adult green space can grow up to 45-60 cm in height. The width of the bush is between 50-65 cm. Ophir variety ideal for planting in rock gardens and on a slope. It is best to purchase seedlings from nurseries.

Minima

Minima is a compact ornamental variety of ornamental pine. The outline of the crown is similar to a fluffy ball. The plant, which is frost-resistant, reaches a height of 80 cm. The needles are quite thin and can bend slightly. In the spring and summer months, they are colored green. Closer to autumn, their color is close to blue.

Experts recommend planting seedlings in an area illuminated by the sun's rays.

Mugus

An ornamental variety of dwarf pine with a wide and spreading crown. The variety tolerates systematic cutting well. The height of mature bushes can reach 200-280 cm. The length of the needles, painted in a dark green shade, is within 11 cm. The seedlings are planted in dry sandy soil in slightly shaded areas.

San Sebastian

A super dwarf plant species named after an area located in the northern part of the Czech Republic. The dense and uniform crown resembles the outline of a hemisphere. Pine needles are colored gray. The height of an adult bush is in the range of 14-16 cm, while the width reaches 25 cm.

Varella

A beautiful dwarf variety of pine, the crown of which is compact, high density and resembles the shape of a ball. The height of the Varella variety can reach 35-40 cm. Long needles, painted in a dark green palette, can grow up to 12 cm in length. Slightly twisted needles sit tightly on the shoots. The length of the young crown is twice as short as the old one.

Goldstar

This beautiful dwarf pine species is slow growing. The height of an adult bush is 45-50 cm. The color of the needles of a spherical bush acquires a green tint in summer, and turns into a yellow palette closer to winter. The width of mature shrubs reaches 100 cm. The dwarf pine species prefers illuminated zones, but at the same time it is undemanding to the composition of the soil. Frost-resistant green spaces can be planted near birches or singly.

Winter Gold

Dwarf pine shrubs, which are slow growing. The spherical crown is flattened. At the age of 10, the bushes grow up to 100 cm in height. The variety perfectly tolerates both drought and prolonged frosts.

Gnome

A variety of pine, the crown of which is naturally endowed with the shape of a ball. The height of an adult bush, which has not been trimmed since planting, can reach 200 cm. The needles, painted in emerald shades, are rather short. Round cones densely cling to the upper parts of the shoots.

Pug

The Pug variety is endowed with a beautiful lush rounded crown, but which are densely packed with short shoots. The annual growth is 5 cm. The length of the needles, painted in a rich green palette, is within 5 cm. The plant tolerates a dry period and needs sufficient sunlight. The Pug variety must not be planted in the shade. Frost resistance is the advantage of this type of dwarf pine.

Golden glow

The crown, endowed by nature with the outline of a dome, can reach a height of 100 cm. Long needles in the summer months are painted in green tones, closer to winter they turn yellow. The ovoid bumps are brown in color. The densely spaced branches are decorated with short erect shoots.Despite the photophilousness, Golden Glow variety able to grow even in shaded areas. The pine species is not susceptible to pests and diseases. Landscape designers plant dwarf pine in rockeries and rock gardens.

Mountain undersized varieties of pines

Below are the best mountain low-growing pine varieties that landscape designers use when landscaping a site.

Little Lady

Little Lady is a dwarf shrub with a compact spherical crown. The height of the bushes reaches 20-70 cm. The length of the needles, painted in green tones, is in the range of 20-30 mm. The needles grow in bunches.

Frost-resistant bushes grow well in shaded areas. Wind resistant branches do not break under a layer of snow. It is recommended to plant seedlings in slightly acidic, neutral, drained soil. The plant tolerates drought and is able to take root even in wetlands. Little Lady is not susceptible to pests.

March

Low-growing shrubs have a dense crown. The maximum height can reach 60 cm. Long needles are painted in dark green tones. It is recommended to plant dwarf pine in a well-lit area. On especially hot days, it is worth shading green spaces with a special garden net. There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil. March can be grown outdoors or in tubs.

Mini Pug

Mini Pug - dwarf type conifers with a rounded crown shape. A slow-growing coniferous plantation grows slowly. Evergreen shrubs are literally dotted with short shoots. Each year, the coniferous culture becomes 2-2.5 cm taller. The needles are painted in dark green shades.

Laurin

A dwarf coniferous tree has a conical crown. Adult bushes reach a height of 55-75 cm. The diameter is within 100 cm. Soft and thin needles of a dark green hue grow in bunches and are naturally endowed with a pronounced coniferous aroma. A few bumps are colored brown.

Kissen

The crown of a dwarf pine variety has a rounded shape. Hard needles are not densely located on the shoots. The annual growth of branches is in the range of 5.5-6.5 cm. Ripening of small brown cones lasts 24 months. An unpretentious plant takes root well in any soil.

The root system is well developed. Kissen is not susceptible to diseases and pests. With a haircut, you can give the pine the desired shape. On hot summer days, it is advisable to shade the bushes with a special garden net to prevent sunburn.

Selection Tips

When choosing seedlings in a nursery, you should pay attention to their appearance. The shoots should be symmetrically located, the shape of the crown of most varieties has the form of a cone, while the needles are painted in rich bright shades.

Note! The seedlings should not have red needles and bald spots.

What to combine with miniature pines

Dwarf pines coexist wonderfully with other green spaces. Landscape designers often plant coniferous crops close to:

• cereal and exotic herbs;
• flowering bushes;
• decorative moss and lilies;
• decorative maples.

Miniature pines are planted along artificial reservoirs near growing weeping larch. The composition looks impressive.

Mountain pines are ideally combined with rose bushes. The latter are best planted in flowerpots and placed in the garden near coniferous plantations. The coniferous scent can protect roses from insect infestations.

Dwarf pines take root well in various climatic zones. Coniferous culture can decorate an alpine slide and large flower beds. In order for the seedlings to take root and look good, it is necessary to moisten the soil in a timely manner, apply top dressing and, despite the frost resistance, cover the shrubs before the winter cold.

Rating of the best varieties of dwarf pines: