Mugo Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine, European Mountain Pine, Dwarf Mountain Pine
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size is 15-20' tall by 20-25' wide in landscapes, but can grow to 30-80' tall and wide in the wild. Growth habit is prostrate/pyramidal to broad-spreading & bushy. Size and habit is variable depending on the variety selected. Slow growth rate.

Native Range

Species is native to Switzerland, Yugoslavia, and the Mountains of central and southern Europe from Spain to the Balkans. Species introduced in 1779.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers. Fruits in cones, sub-terminal, sessile or short-stalked, erect, horizontal, or slightly pendulous, solitary or 2-3 together, ovoid or conical-ovoid, 1-2" long by 0.5-1.5" broad, apex surrounded by a darker ring, at maturity grayish black.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Needles are in groups of 2, medium green to dark green, 1-3" long, lasting 5 or more years. Large, pointed terminal buds. Stems have small bumps where old needles were attached. Needles often turn yellowish green in winter especially on the tips. Bark is brownish-gray, scaly, split in irregular plates but not scaling off on old trunks, regular bumpy protuberances on 0.5-3" diameter stems result from when the leaves abscise.

Culture and Care

Generally does not produce a tap root and is easy to transplant. Prefers a deep, moist loam in sun or partial shade. Cold-hardy. Tolerant of high pH soils and some clay. Avoid wet areas, shade. Can be pruned annually to thicken plant and keep dwarf habit. Subject to rusts, wood rots, borers, pine sawflies and especially pine needle scale (often very serious).

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Generally stays small and compact, making it one of a somewhat limited number of small evergreen shrubs for foundation plantings. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

Suggested Uses

The straight-species is seldom used. Smaller varieties & cultivars are useful in landscape planting, especially for foundations, masses, groupings.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA