Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine)


Michael's Opinion

An excellent landscape pine; it is a plant that maintains a dense form of strong good looking foliage.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciesflexilis
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginRocky Mountains of Western North America. Introduced into cultivation in 1861.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone 4 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone2a - 6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-34 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)-30 - 5
Height10 - 20 m
Spread5 - 12 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodJuly

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionBest in full sun. It is more tolerant of salt spray on the foliage than other 5-needle pines. It is better adapted to dry soils and wind than Pinus strobus, but prefers moist, well-drained soil.
ID CharacteristicOften confused with Pinus strobus. Since the needle’s are in 5’s. Needles without serrations on margin like Pinus strobus. Needles stay on the tree for up to six years. Stems are noticeably shorter than Pinus strobus.
ShapePyramidal when young, when mature, has an ascending flat-topped broad crown.
LandscapeUsed as a specimen, a screen or in small groups.
PropagationSeed should be stratified for 21–90 days at 2–5°C
CultivationTransplants well burlapped if root pruned, does best in moist, acidic, well-drained soil, and prefers sun or partial shade; a very adaptable species.
PestsWhite Pine blister rust
Notable SpecimensConifer collection, The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada and The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. A native stand can be found in Alberta, Canada, on either side the Banff Higway, west of Nordegg at Whirlpool Lookout on the dry, scree slopes leading down to the road.
HabitatDry to moderately moist sites.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth, pale grey when young, older bark is rough, dark brown, and scaly.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionOvoid, slender, sharply pointed to about 1 cm long.
Leaf DescriptionNeedles stay on the trees for 5 – 6 years with the branches often covered with needles from tip to trunk. Needles are slightly curved or twisted.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, male flowers clustered, rose coloured, female purple, female flowers are either solitary or 2’s or 3’s.
Fruit DescriptionCones are sub terminal, short-stalked, cylindrical ovoid, 7.5-15 cm long, erect when young, pendulously spreading when mature, light brown in colour.
Colour DescriptionDark bluish green.
Texture DescriptionMedium

Photographs