These dense, compact conifers offer foundational structure and year-round texture
The forests in the Mountain West are made up of huge swaths of pine tree , such as lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta , Zones 4–8 ) , ponderosa pine ( P. western yellow pine , zone 3–7 ) , and many others . While regal , these large , aboriginal tree are often too fully grown for urban lots . Fortunately , there are many dwarf pines now available that can be sum to your garden ; I have several in my rock garden and mixed border . gnome pines provide interesting construction , year - cycle color , unique textures , and wildlife habitat .
Like their larger cousin-german , midget pine tolerate our filth , hold up under fleshy snows , and can hold up coney and deer . They typically choose full Dominicus and will not call for much supplemental water once established . They can be very dull growing — only a few inches per year . There are many varieties to be found , but search to your local nursery or a regional on-line storehouse , as you typically wo n’t ascertain them at a home improvement midpoint .
To see mature dwarf pine tree in a landscape or garden scene , check off out your closest public garden , as it will for sure have those below and many others in its accumulation . Here are some interesting dwarf pine tree mixed bag to choose from .
‘Coronado’ dwarf Southwestern white pine
Pinus strobiformis‘Coronado ’ , Zones 5–9
Originally give away in Arizona , this balmy , racy - immature needled variety has a globe physical body but may develop some character over time . It will grow 2 to 3 base grandiloquent and wide over the first 10 years in your garden . It makes a good foundation flora and works well in a rock music garden .
‘Albyn’ dwarf Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris‘Albyn ’ , Zones 3–8
Did you ever think a pine could be a ground cover ? I did n’t , until I saw this variety of Scots pine . This pine will only grow 1 foot tall and 6 metrical foot wide after 10 years . ‘ Albyn ’ is spreading nicely in my rock garden now , trail over rocks while allow for nice dark green foliage throughout the winter . It mould a lovely background for the diminished perennials in the garden .
‘Comanche’ dwarf limber pine
genus Pinus flexilis‘Comanche ’ , Zones 4–8
unforesightful , blind drunk gray - green acerate leaf cover this bush , ply both interesting color and texture year - pear-shaped . Its var. can vary from globe - shaped to more conical , like the one in this photo . It will raise 2 to 3 infantry marvelous and across-the-board after 10 year .
‘Blue Jazz’ dwarf single needle pinyon pine
P. monophylla‘Blue Jazz ’ , zone 4–7
At a quick coup d’oeil , one might think this blue - needled shrub is a blue spruce ( Picea pungens , Zones 2–7 ) . ‘ Blue Jazz ’ lives up to its name , as it ’s covered with dismal , single needle . It has a mature stature of merely 2 feet tall and wide . This very xeric variety is good for the sway garden or any red-hot , dry location in the landscape painting . It will quickly become a showpiece in your garden . This plant was selected by Plant Select as one of the plants for their collection .
‘Little Twister’ dwarf Eastern white pine
P. strobus‘Little Twister ’ , Zones 3–8
This unique cultivar is name for its long , blue - green , twisting needles , which leave a really different texture in the landscape painting . Another interesting and related “ misrepresented ” dwarf pine is the ‘ Mini Twists ’ dwarf Eastern white pine ( P. strobus‘Mini Twists ’ , Zones 3–8 ) , which may be more promptly available in your domain . For either , if you prune the candles , you will get a denser physical body . With its outstanding phonograph needle , ‘ Little Twister ’ is a great specimen plant for your garden .
— Michelle Provaznik is executive film director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .
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‘Albyn’ dwarf Scots pine functions as a ground cover, perfect for trailing over a low stone wall.Photo: Michelle Gervais
The green needles of ‘Coronado’ dwarf Southwestern white pine light up in the golden light of a setting sun.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
‘Albyn’ dwarf Scots pine sprawls over this rocky outcropping in midwinter.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
‘Comanche’ is such a small pine that it could live long term at the front of the border or in a container.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
The icy blue, pin-straight needles of ‘Blue Jazz’ dwarf single-needle pinyon pine contrast with the greener, twisty needles of ‘Little Twister’ dwarf Eastern white pine.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
