Mugo Pine ( (Pinus mugo)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun
• Tolerates light shade but prefers open, sunny locations for best form and density

Bloom Time:

• Spring (not grown for flowers)
• Produces small, inconspicuous male and female cones
• Female cones mature into small, brown cones

Size:

Height: 3 to 20 feet tall, depending on cultivar

• Dwarf types: 3 to 5 feet
• Standard forms: up to 20 feet

Width: 6 to 10 feet wide (varies by cultivar)

Attributes:

• Dense, mounded or spreading habit
• Dark green, stiff needles in pairs
• Small, rounded cones
• Cold-hardy and drought-tolerant once established
• Excellent for erosion control, slopes, and alpine gardens
• Low-maintenance and deer-resistant

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained soil; tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soils
• Water regularly during establishment; drought-tolerant afterward
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Minimal pruning needed; can be lightly sheared to maintain shape
• Avoid wet or poorly drained sites to prevent root rot
• Monitor for pine sawfly and needle cast in humid climates