Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Mugo Pine

Swiss Mountain Pine

Latin Name:

Pinus mugo 'pumilio'

Bushy, multi-stemmed shrub or broad-rounded small tree

Taxon ID#

76 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

2 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Moist, well-drained loams; grows well in sandy soils, but is also somewhat tolerant of clays. Avoid poorly-drained wet soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Pinaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Mountains of central and southern Europe; var. mugo found in the Alps and Balkans

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Rigid and slightly curved needles 1 to 2 inches long in fascicles of twos with serrate margins

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

No Flower

Flower Description:

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Green foliage

Winter Foliage:

Evergreen

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Green foliage

Mature height:

2-20'

Mature spread:

3 - 20'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

no

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

Last Bloom:

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Summer Care:

The candles can be pinched off or trimmed by 1/3 to 2/3 to limit the tree's yearly growth. Trimming the candles will encourage a�denser growth, since by the end of that�growing season, new terminal buds will have formed at the cut ends. �Next year?s grow

Fall Care:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Winter Care:

Pruning a tree during dormant season (e.g., late winter/early spring) will help the tree focus on strong shoots that grow rapidly - especially on the most severely pruned limbs. if you trim last year?s growth in February/March (which would likely include

Long Term Care:

Prune annually to retain compact size. Unpruned plants may outgrow designated planting spaces as they mature. Most conifers require little pruning. They are generally pruned for shape or to remove unwanted branches. It is important to distinguish between

Insect Pests:

Pine needle scale and sawflies can be serious problems in some areas. Moths and borers may appear

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Tip blight, rusts and rots.

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

Prefers cool summer climates. When pruning pines, make cuts just above the needle whorls. Most new lateral growth is stimulated at these points, rather than along the stems between the whorls.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pinus-mugo

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PIMU80

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284978

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Mugo Pine

Swiss Mountain Pine

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

76

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

2

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Moist, well-drained loams; grows well in sandy soils, but is also somewhat tolerant of clays. Avoid poorly-drained wet soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Mountains of central and southern Europe; var. mugo found in the Alps and Balkans

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Rigid and slightly curved needles 1 to 2 inches long in fascicles of twos with serrate margins

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

No Flower

Flower Description:

​

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Green foliage

Winter Foliage:

Evergreen

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Green foliage

Mature height:

2-20'

Mature spread:

3 - 20'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

​

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

yes