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Dwarf Mugo Pine

10 years ago

What are your thought on this bush? I saw some from Lowes today. How accurate the "Dwarf" part is I do not know. I see these shrubs around town and they are so tall and so over grown and in my opinion quite ugly. Do you think they are a good choice for a mixed flower garden. They look nice when young but I wonder about the trouble when they outgrow the beds. Perhaps the ones I am looking at are different? Just thought I would run this by you folks and get your opinions. Thanks so much.

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Comments (6)

gyr_falcon
10 years ago
There is a very large amount of variation among seedling mugo pines as to their mature size, as well as needle size. Dwarf in the name will not tell you enough. If you wish to be certain that a mugo pine will stay within the size range you want, it is wise to purchase a named cultivar with the desired characteristics. Grafted plants will cost more than seedlings, but can save homeowners much grief.

I love mugo pines, but they are not commonly grown here. They don't really like our climate.
Sequoiadendron4
10 years ago
We have a Slowmound Mugo Pine. It's the third growing season for it and it has definitely lived up to its name so far. The growth rate is about 3-4 inches a year.
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probably dead.. but there might be life in the buds ... but what a mess to look at for a year or two.. IF!!!! they actually resprout NEXT spring ... return them ken ps: they are conifers ...
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You're doing exactly the right thing with these threads. Each one, with possibly some inevitable corrections, is banked. If everyone contributes pictures as well for any variations and mature specimens then it's there in Google search and forum search for everyone's use. Damn, what do you think I do in nurseries? I'm on my phone checking pictures and info on the web. Almost always from this forum. Saved me buying unsuitable baby monsters a few times. Keep on, the stack of knowledge can never be too big. You a newb? Maybe relative to some but please, you're a conifer luminary.
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it would depend on an ID of the given specimen ... and its inherent annual growth rate ... if you can post a pic.. some of the wizards here might find it a joy to name for you ... there are hundreds of cultivars ... see link for general overview of conifers... and note the SIZE section after naming it.. we would then need to know what effect you are going after ... e.g. individual specimens... vs a large presentation using multiple plants ... whatever you decide... 5 to 8 feet from the foundation of the house is the minimum... unless it is a MINI ... see link .. ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
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Debbie, IME, I wouldn't do any transplanting of trees or shrubs unless it's early spring like April/May. Transplanting at this time may cause it to stress right out and die, that's the chance you take. However, if you're willing to baby it carefully each and every day, it may make it. As well, I'm not sure about only 4 hours of sun, I have mine on the west side of the house, it gets direct sun from about 12 noon on. My Lois Holes Favorite T&S book says that it likes the SUN. Sharon
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
there is a very active conifer forum ...

but i will answer you here ...

first... as noted.. there is no predictability unless its a named cultivar .... and with said name.. you could research growth rate and size potential ... ...

and.. though an exaggeration ... i like to say.. for impact. .. that if momma has 100 foot potential.. a dwarf of her.. might only grow 75 feet ...

a true dwarf.. is supposed to grow.. 3 to 6 inches per year... you should be able.. since pine has one growth spurt in spring .... to look at any given pine.. and find out how much it grew last spring.. and simply presume... that is the MINIMUM annual growth.. and once established in the ground.... could be much more ...

most size estimates are at 10 years... based on that annual growth rate ... and you can presume.. at 20 years.. they will be twice as large.. because.. as trees [NOT SHRUBS].... and as conifers [NOT SHRUBS] .. they really NEVER stop growing.... because.. they are.. wait for it.. NOT SHRUBS... lol ...

i have some 5 year old MINIs ... that are barely bigger than a dinner plate ....

but let me sum it up this way .... of my 600 odd conifers.. two were purchased at bigboxstore ...

peruse the pix at the link.. to see the great variability ... on your words alone.. and do understand.. that the smaller of them ... are not un-named bigboxstore plants ...

in the conifer forum .. there are some very current posts.. on preferred providers ....

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
mary_max
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks to all for the help you have given. The site full of pictures show the various looks we can have. Decisions decision ! Thanks again. I will study this a bit longer.
edlincoln
9 years ago
I got a dwarf mugo pine in the bargain bin at lowes. It has some brown branches, but some green ones. What would be a good use for it? I could plant it with some dwarf alberta spruce, holly and hydrangea, or I could incorporate it into foundaton planting close to the house between yew and diablo ninebark. Which would look good?
mikebotann
9 years ago
Get a grafted one that says Pumillio. That Group has several dwarf forms.
Be careful in siting it so it doesn't get lost in the garden.
Mike....not a fan of mugos.

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