Pinus mugo (Mugo Pine)

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciesmugo
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginCentral and Southern Europe. Introduced into cultivation in 1779.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone2 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone0a - 6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-46 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)-50 - (-5)
Height5 - 7 m
Spread8 - 10 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA shrub or small, round or broad pyramidal tree. The dark green, stiff needles are held on the tree for more than four years making this one of the more dense pines suitable for a screen planting.
ID CharacteristicOn smaller stems there are bumpy protuberances left from the abscised leaves.
ShapeCan be prostrate or pyramidal but is usually low, broad spreading, and bushy.
LandscapeMass and erosion control, required candling in smaller landscapes.
PropagationSeed.
CultivationPrefers deep, moist soil in sun or partial shade. It can grow in basic or limestone rich soils.
PestsShoot tip moth and scale.
Notable SpecimensThe University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
HabitatDry mountain slopes.
Bark/Stem DescriptionDark grey, scaly and deeply furrowed. Also split into medium sized, irregular plates, but does not exfoliate on old trunks.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionOblong-ovoid buds, 0.6 -1.3 cm long, with reddish brown scales encrusted with resin.
Leaf DescriptionNeedles are in pairs, rigid, curved, and medium to dark green, turning yellowish green in the winter. The needles are 5-7.6 cm long and persist for four or more years.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, green-yellow coloured, inconspicuous and not showy. Flowering time peaks during March and April.
Fruit DescriptionThe cones are subterminal, short-stalked, erect, and horizontal or slightly pendulous. They maybe solitary or 2-3 together and are 2.5-5 cm long by 0.6 to 2 cm broad, with flat or slightly concave scales. At maturity, they turn a greyish black.
Colour DescriptionMedium to dark green needles and brownish grey bark. Young stems are green, turning a blackish brown with age.
Texture DescriptionMedium textured.

Photographs