Pinus strobus 'Horsford Dwarf' (Horsford Dwarf White Pine)


Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciesstrobus
Cultivar'Horsford Dwarf'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginDiscovered as a seedling growing in Vermont by William Horsford.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1a - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40 -(-12)
Temperature (°F)-40 - 10
Height30 - 50 cm
Spread40 cm
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionPinus strobus 'Horsford Dwarf' is a dwarf evergreen shrub with short green needles that retain a slight yellow tinge. Its needles are in fasciles of 5 and are soft to the touch. It is a very small evergreen with a mature height of about 50 cm, thus much more compact than P. strobes 'Nana'.
ID CharacteristicA small conifer with a dense round form, typically very small in stature, with a mature growth of usually less than 50 cm. Very slow growing with greenish/yellow needles that are soft to the touch.
ShapeDense rounded, compact form.
LandscapeThis particular dwarf cultivar is suited as an accent plant in a rock garden since it is quite compact when compared to other P. strobus cultivars.
PropagationGrafted on to P. strobus rootstock, in February using a side veneer graft. Cover graft in moist peat in a mist system with bottom heat to maintain humidity.
CultivationPlant in fertile soil but can tolerate a wide variety of leaner soils as long as they are free draining; requires full sun.
PestsPinus strobus 'Horsford Dwarf' is susceptible to white pine blister rust which can be fatal to the plant. It is also susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale, bark beetles and white pine weevil.
Notable SpecimensMissouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, Ontario, Canada. The Gardens of Fanshawe College (Conifer Garden), London, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSilver coloured smooth bark, but hidden by dense foliage.
Leaf DescriptionGreenish-yellow, with a white underside, to about 4-5 cm in length, held in fasciles of 5, soft to the touch.
Colour DescriptionGreenish-yellow needles with silver bark

Photographs