Pinus mugo var. pumilio

Dwarf mugo pine has emerald green foliage, and the needles remain emerald green through the winter. It’s a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a fine texture.

Its name may be somewhat misleading. In production it’s a compact, rounded evergreen. However, in the landscape it can grow up to 5 feet tall and 10 feet wide. But some pruning is all that’s necessary to keep it a manageable size.

It’s a rugged plant that survives the Zone 2 winters and performs well in drought-prone areas.
 

Why grow dwarf mugo pine?

• Drought tolerant, which is a big selling point right now.
• It’s not picky about soil type or pH.
• Long lived – it’s purported to survive for 50 years.
• A fantastic combo of color, form and texture.
  
   

Specifics

• Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 2-8
• Habit: Dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a compact habit. Although it’s called dwarf mugo pine, it can grow 3-5 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Once in the landscape, it can be pruned to keep its size in check.
• In the landscape: Looks great as a specimen or peppered in with boulders. Use as a foundation planting or in borders. Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Great for a xeriscape garden. Plant with other dwarf shrubs for some interesting textural variations. It also works in a container.
• Propagation: By seed

Sources: Landscaping by Bachman’s; Monrovia