Types of Mugo Pines and Their Varieties To Grow
Gardeners who are looking for something unusual in the landscape can benefit greatly from planting mugo pines rather than junipers. Find everything about the mugo pine varieties here.
Mugos, which are much tinier than their towering relatives – pine trees, share the dark green hue and the fragrance of fresh pine throughout the year. This article contains information that will teach you about different types of mugo pine trees.
Jump To
- What Is A Mugo Pine? How Does It Look?
- What Is The Common Name Of Pinus Mugo?
- Mugo Pine Snapshot
- Popular Mugo Pine Kinds
- FAQs
What Is A Mugo Pine? How Does It Look?
A member of the family Pinaceae (often known as the pine family), mugo pine is a variety of conifer that is indigenous to higher altitude habitats ranging in Europe.
It is a gymnosperm shrub that has evergreen leaves and can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet, with a width of 25 to 30 feet. The form and habit of the plant can vary quite a little, although it is often low to the ground, wide-spreading, and bushy.
The Mugo pine has the ability to become both more prostrate and more tree-like in appearance.
Short, shrubby kinds have neatly arranged branches that only reach a few inches above the surface of the ground when fully grown. The mugo pine varieties we are covering in this article have a propensity for organically spreading and may be sheared off with only a little bit of effort.
What Is The Common Name Of Pinus Mugo?
There are several names for Pinus Mugo like dwarf mountain pine, mugo pine, mountain pine, scrub mountain pine, bog pine, creeping pine, Swiss mountain pine, etc.
Mugo Pine Overview
Scientific name | Pinus mugo |
Common name | Bog pine, creeping pine, dwarf mountain pine, mugo pine, mountain pine, scrub mountain pine, or Swiss mountain pine |
Lifespan | 50+ years |
Plant type | Evergreen |
Size | 2 – 5 feet |
Native land | Europe |
Growing conditions | Water: Drought resistant
Sunlight: Full direct sunlight Soil type: acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, clay Soil PH: 4 – 7.8 Temperature: -50°F Fertilizer: Organic fertilizers |
Growth rate | Slow (12’’) |
Hardiness zone | 3-7, USDA |
Popular Mugo Pine Varieties
1. Donna’s Mini-Dwarf Mugo(Pinus mugo ‘Donna’s Mini’):
A real dwarf pine that continues to be diminutive even after reaching maturity; as a result, the extremely slow-growing evergreen dome will not overwhelm a trench or rock garden.
These types of mugo pine have small, green leaves that are barely 5/8 inches in length, and they wrap the tightly held branchlets in such a way that the entire surface is very silky. The congested conifer was found at Iseli Nursery, and its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a pincushion or a miniature sea urchin.
2. Compacta
Pinus pumila is a shrubby and often prostrate pinus mugo varieties that are endemic to eastern Asia. It is also known as dwarf Siberian pine and Japanese stone pine. Depending on the kind, it can grow anywhere from 1 to 9 feet tall.
A few of the young purple-violet seed cones “long-term (reddish brown) maturation Identical in morphology to Pinus cembra, it was once thought to be a subspecies of that tree.
‘Compacta’ has gray-green leaves and grows slowly. In the first ten years, it usually grows to a height of 3-4 feet.
3. Enci Mugo pine(Pinus mugo ‘Enci’):
There are many mugo pine varieties but the most common is the dwarf conifer known as Enci Mugo Pine. Despite its name, this tree’s leaves are evergreen and vibrant emerald green. The evergreen color of the needles does not change during the winter.
When it matures, the dense pile of erect twigs becomes a thick pile of upright twigs that is significantly more compact than the species; it is great in bulk or as tall ornamental grass, very flexible and robust.
4. Slowmound Dwarf Mugo pine(Pinus mugo ‘Slowmound):
Slowmound Dwarf Mugo belongs to tough evergreen types of mugo pine with delicately structured, rich deep green leaves that grow in an evenly mounded form.
Minimal pruning or upkeep is required because of the small size of the plant. Attractive as a single plant or as a bulk planting. Ideal for small urban gardens, alpine or rock gardens, or big water-conscious landscapes, this salt-tolerant selection.
5. ‘Gnome’
Gnome One of the most sought-after ornamental mugo pine varieties in the landscape is the Bosnian Pine because of its oval shape.
Its evergreen foliage has a dark green color. The thick, dark-green needles last all winter. There is a nice contrast between the gnarled dark bark and the silvery branches.
This slow-growing cultivar can be oval to conical in shape, and its long dark green needles make it an excellent choice for use as a screening or accent tree in residential landscapes. branching that is erect and dense
6. Tannenbaum Mugo pine (Pinus mugo’Tannenbaum’):
As can be seen, by its deep green leaves and slight blue-green tint, these special pinus mugo varieties are wonderfully shaped Christmas trees that have a strong structure, making them well-suited to a variety of environmental and climate conditions.
An attractive feature of Tannenbaum Mugo Pine is its pyramidal growth habit, which distinguishes it from other miniature conifers. Its evergreen leaves have a dark green color. During the winter, the leaves retain a dark green color.
7. White Bud Dwarf Mugo pine(Pinus mugo ‘White Bud’):
The attractive globe-shaped form of the White Bud Mugo Pine is the primary reason for the conifer’s worth in the terrain or yard. White Bud Mugo Pines are dwarf mugo pine varieties.
The evergreen foliage turns silver in the spring, and it is quite lovely. Beautiful, dark-green needles persist on this tree all winter long.
The White Bud Mugo Pine is a coniferous evergreen shrub that has a form that is more or less spherical. It has several stems.
8. Mops
Pinus mops another special kind of pinus mugo varieties prefer moist, well-drained loams with enough direct sunlight for growth. Although it’s also capable of growing in clay. Avoid wet soils that don’t drain well.
These types of mugo pine like summers that are not too hot. These can also usually handle living in cities. To keep a small size, prune every year in late winter. As a plant matures, it may outgrow its assigned area if it is not trimmed.
Although it is not required, pruning can be done once a year in the spring in order to retain the dwarf habit of the plant and make it thicker.
Pine Types: Blue Pine | White Pine | Long Leaf Pine | Japanese Pine
FAQs
Q. What is the lifespan of a mugo pine?
A. If it is given the proper care, the Mugo pine, which is a species of pine that is indigenous to the regions of Europe, can live for up to 50 years. Any bonsai fan would do well to give this slow-growing plant a try because it is not only simple to cultivate but also simple to care for. However, their lifespan varies depending upon different mugo pine types.
Q. How big is a mugo pine?
A. They develop slowly, with a height growth of fewer than 12 inches per year, and at full maturity, they can reach a height of up to 20 feet while spreading out to a width of up to 5 feet. This, however, can change based on various pinus mugo varieties.
Q. When to plant mugo pine?
A. Planting mugo pine should be done in the spring or fall and should take place in a position that receives full light and has soil that is both moist and well-drained for most mugo pine types.
If the soil needs to have its drainage improved, you should fix it with some organic matter and add a few buckets of gravel. Plants that have been balled and burlapped should have the burlap and the wire basket removed to allow free growth.
Q. Where do mugo pines grow?
A. Although they are indigenous to central Europe, pinus mugo varieties have demonstrated a high level of adaptability as a feature of the environment in Minnesota.
A Mugo pine tree grows best in rich soils that have good drainage and are kept consistently moist. It is able to thrive in dry areas, soils that are alkaline, and clay soils.
Steer clear of moist soils that have inadequate drainage. It thrives best in places with mild summers. In general, plants are able to adapt and thrive in urban environments.
Related: Mugo Pine Companion Plants
Q. What are the uses of mugo pines?
A. Some of the uses of mugo pine types include:
– It is used as an ornamental plant
– It is a source of turpentine
– An herbal tea made from it is also widely popular in parts of Bulgaria
– It is an amazing plant for bonsai
Q. Which plants grow well around mugo pines?
A. Near pine trees, a wide variety of evergreen and perennial plants can thrive. These plants are well suited for the low moisture content and acidity of the ground and the shadow that the mugo pine tree provides for their environment.
Here are a few examples: Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia), Big-root Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum), Ara Barrenwort (Epimedium x Versicolor), Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum), Heart-leaved Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia).
Q. Does mugo pine face any problems in terms of pests and diseases?
A. The vast majority of dwarf mugo pine varieties require almost no maintenance, provided that they are not affected by any pests or diseases, which fortunately are rare occurrences.
Gardeners in some places should be on the lookout for pine parasitoid wasp and pine needle scales, as well as a variety of insects and fruit borers, tip disease, root rot, and smuts.
Although Mugo pines are hardly infected by insects or tormented by diseases, gardeners in other regions should be on the lookout for tip scourge, rots, and deforms.
To get rid of most insects, your best bet is to start with insecticidal soaps, but if that doesn’t work, you can move on to more powerful chemical pesticides.
If your shrub is infected with a fungal disease, you can treat it using fungicides by applying them in the spring. Different mugo pine types need different fungicides.
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