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Mountain pine is a favorite of gardeners who create rockeries or rocky hills. Nurseries distribute dwarf and miniature forms, which are quite similar to each other. There are varieties with original colored needles or differing in the arrangement of needles on the branches.
Description of mountain pine
In its natural habitat, in the mountainous areas of Central and Southern Europe, wild mountain pine grows in the form of a tall tree or shrub, usually with a spherical or broadly ovoid silhouette. There are plants with shoots located vertically or creeping. A feature of the structure of the crown of bushes is the dense arrangement of branches to each other. The grey-brown bark of the trunk is smooth, with dark scales appearing at the top with age. The growing shoots are green, then gradually turn brown. The height of mountain pine bushes by the age of 30 reaches 1-3 m, diameter - up to 1.5-4 m.Most plants have a well-developed central tap root and spreading superficial shoots.
The development of shoots is slow, up to 6-15 cm, even significantly less in selection forms. The needles of mountain pine, pointed at the top, are hard, needle-shaped, often dark green in color or with a different shade in new varieties. The needles are from 4-5 to 8-10 cm long, collected in bunches of several pieces. The dwarf pine blooms after 6-10 years of development in May, every year. Numerous cones, in the form of a wide cone at the base, sessile, small in size, 3-5 cm wide, up to 5-8 cm long, with a gray-brown cover. Young fruits are gray-purple in color. Edible seeds will ripen in 1.5 years, by the end of autumn.
Mountain pine varieties
The decorative coniferous species has been known as an element of gardening art since the end of the 18th century. It appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. Now experts count more than 120 species and varieties of mountain pine of dwarf and miniature forms. Many plants are very similar to each other. Various varieties of 2 forms of mountain culture are popular:
- Mugus, is actually a shrub;
- Pumilio - dwarf variety.
Dwarf
Gnom is a dwarf variety from Holland with an oval-round, dense crown that has been decorating gardens for almost a century. The maximum height is 2 m, spreading only 80-90 cm in circumference. Dark green needles up to 4 cm thick cover the shoot. Gnome pine loves sunny exposure and grows well in cities.
Cockade
A variety of mountain shrub with original colored needles, as if sparkling from afar, was bred in the middle of the last century in Germany.The spreading crown with irregular shoots rises up to 1.5 m. The interesting effect of the color of the needles, which is called “dragon’s eye,” is especially noticeable when looking at the shoot from above. Green needles are colored yellow first at the base and then at the tops. Their combination creates the impression of a double bright ring. Kokarde pine is planted in partial shade to protect it from spring scorching.
Pumilio
Pumilio is a seedling of a wild mountain bush. The height can vary, on average the plant rises to 1.5-2 m. Creeping shoots form a very outstretched crown - up to 3 m in diameter. Pine is unpretentious, easily tolerates pruning, and is resistant to weather conditions in the middle zone. The hard needles are dark green in color, medium in size, up to 4 cm. The cones are lilac in color, slightly rounded.
Khnizdo
According to the description of the mountain pine variety Hnizdo, which was bred by Czech breeders at the end of the last century, the plant has a curious shape of a compact crown. In the center the shoots are shorter, which creates the impression of a smooth depression in the shape of a nest. From the beginning of growth, the silhouette of the dwarf pine variety is spherical, and then becomes cushion-shaped. The growth is slow: by the age of 20 it gains up to 1-1.2 m in height, and also spreads up to 1.2 m in width. Branches with dense but short, up to 2 cm, needles are densely spaced. Small cones up to 3 cm long. The needles do not fade in the spring sun and develop well in partial shade.
Algau
The dwarf pine of Dutch selection, the prototype of which was found in the German Alps, is not tall. In adulthood, Allgau rises from 0.7 to 1 m, covering an area of up to 1-1.2 m in circumference. This unpretentious variety of mountain shrub has a high level of decorativeness, thanks to its dense, lush crown in the shape of a sphere.Dark green needles are collected 2 in a bunch. Quite long and stiff needles, slightly curled at the tops. The variety of low pine is not planted in the shade on dense soil. The seedlings are covered for the winter.
Sunshine
The charming variety of mountain pine shrub Sunshine captivates with its luminous halo, which is created by the two-color color of the needles. Long arched needles, creamy yellow at the base, becoming bright green towards the top. The arrangement of needles is dense, the branches form a loose, rounded crown. The light stripe changes in intensity: young needles are lighter in summer, and with the onset of winter they turn yellow. Sunshine pine is best planted in a sunny area where loam predominates. In summer it is recommended to irrigate by sprinkling.
Golden Glow
Golden Glow is another luminous miniature pine shrub with a hemispherical crown that is a delight for the garden in winter. But you won’t be able to grow a seedling of this variety of dwarf mountain pine yourself from seeds. Golden Glow belongs to a species that reproduces only through grafting. Straight needles, collected 2 in a bunch, are bright green in summer. The hue changes after frost, the color brightens and becomes yellow. The annual growth is only 4 cm: at 10 years the bush reaches a height of 50 cm and 90-100 cm in diameter. Pine grows on any soil, in sunny areas. The Golden Glow variety tolerates frosts down to -34 °C.
Ophir
Ophir is one of the magnificent Dutch dwarf mountain pine varieties, spread by grafting. It grows slowly: a 10-year-old specimen reaches only 40-50 cm, and a 20-year-old spherical bush rises to 80 cm with a diameter of up to 1 m. An adult plant can take on the shape of a cone.The color of the hard, short needles changes with the seasons: green in summer, golden-yellow in cold weather. Plant in the sun, adding humus and sand to the substrate. In summer, sprinkling and mulching the soil is preferable. In industrial cities, the attractive variety of evergreen mountain shrub Ophir does not develop well.
Benjamin
The miniature German variety Benjamin is often grafted onto a tall standard. This form of dwarf pine with a dense, flat-spherical crown is popular as an evergreen plant for balconies and terraces. Crown size 50-70, rarely 90-100 cm. Growth is very small, up to 3-5 cm per year. The shiny needles are dark green, stiff and short. The picky dwarf pine grows on any well-structured soil. You can try to breed a variety of mountain pine by propagation by cuttings through grafting.
Carstens Wintergold
A very decorative dwarf variety of mountain shrub that changes color with the seasons. Brought out in the 70s of the last century in Germany through the selection of seedlings. By the age of 10 years, the hemispherical crown grows to only 40 cm, with a diameter of 90-100 cm. Dense, short branches are covered with light green needles, 3-5 cm long, which acquire a golden tone in late autumn. With frost, the shade becomes more intense, with a transition to orange and copper. By the end of winter, the crown of young seedlings is protected from burning out in the bright sun. The ovoid cones of the variety are from 2 to 6 cm, yellow-brown. Carstens Wintergold pine radically transforms the mood of the winter garden.
Mountain pine in landscape design
Seedlings of the species live up to 1000 years in natural conditions. An established seedling is also durable. The bush will harmoniously fit into the landscape, especially enlivening it in the off-season and winter, which is poor in color.For dwarf pine, choose areas where the plant will be comfortable for years:
- rocky slopes and slopes;
- rockeries and rock gardens;
- borders, partial edging of ponds, hedges;
- in combination with deciduous shrubs with the condition of planting miniature pine varieties in the foreground, and taller ones as an evergreen background;
- background for flower arrangements of low-growing plants;
- in the group of conifers on lawns;
- for decorating the bottom plan of fences and walls of buildings.
All varieties of mountain pine bushes are suitable for decoration. Especially appreciated are those that change the color of the needles and become cheerful lanterns in winter.
How to grow mountain pine from seeds
The seeds in the cones ripen in late autumn. The collected cones are placed in a warm place so that they open. Seeds are placed in water and germination is determined: heavy ones, suitable for sowing, sink down. Algorithm for planting mountain pine seeds:
- soaking in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes;
- germination in a constantly damp cloth for 2 weeks;
- seeds with hatched roots are placed in separate pots, where crushed pine bark and sphagnum are placed for the substrate;
- the containers are placed in a bright, warm place, the substrate is moderately moistened;
- sprouts appear by the end of March, mid-April;
- The seedlings are planted in a permanent place the next year and kept in a frost-free room in winter.
In areas with mild winters, sowing is carried out directly into the ground, preparing the seeds by soaking for 3-6 days.
Planting and caring for mountain pine
It is better to buy pine seedlings in containers from local nurseries, where the trees have acclimatized during development. Successful planting of mountain pine in the fall, until mid-September, or in the spring, from mid-April.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
Typically, a sunny area is chosen for mountain pine bushes. Some varieties also develop in partial shade. Seedlings of mountain evergreen conifers are not picky about soils; they grow on loams and sandy loams, often in poor, dry areas. It is better if these are slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soils. Ornamental conifers are also planted on heavy soils, providing drainage up to 20 cm in height. Adhere to the following proportions for the substrate:
- 2 parts turf soil;
- 1 part each of humus, sand and clay equally;
- 0.3-0.5 parts of sphagnum.
The roots of the seedling are not soaked; they are only slightly damp. The intertwined shoots are carefully straightened, trying to leave as much of the original substrate as possible.
How to plant mountain pine correctly
Seedlings of tall varieties are placed at intervals of 4 m, dwarf varieties - 1.5 m. When planting, adhere to the following rules:
- holes are dug according to the size of the straightened roots, adding 5-10 cm;
- the depth is determined taking into account the drainage layer from 10 to 20 cm;
- place the root collar at the site level;
- drive in a support for support;
- the soil is compacted, watered and mulched.
Watering a mountain pine
While the seedling takes root, up to 30 days, it is watered around the perimeter of the tree trunk circle every 3-4 days, 10-20 liters each. When planting in spring, ornamental pine seedlings are shaded, especially at noon. Watering is needed both in summer and autumn.The earth is moistened when a lump of soil compressed in a handful crumbles. Adult specimens are usually content with natural precipitation. Sprinkling of mountain shrubs is carried out during the dry period. In mid-autumn, pine trees are watered so that the soil is saturated with moisture.
Top dressing
Dwarf pine is fed with preparations for coniferous crops according to the instructions. Once a month, water the diameter of the planting hole with an organic solution. It is also recommended to apply a root growth stimulator at the beginning and end of summer so that small spreading shoots are formed.
Mulching and loosening
The roots of mountain shrubs are provided with soil rich in oxygen. The tree trunk circle is regularly loosened shallowly. Adult and young plants are mulched with forest needles and sawdust, especially coniferous trees.
Trimming
The crown of mountain shrubs is trimmed to slow down growth. Pine easily tolerates pruning. The annual shoots in the form of “candles” are shortened by one third to make the crown denser and more lush. The pine tree is freed from dry branches in the spring by cutting the shoot into a ring.
Preparing for winter
Almost all varieties of mountain pine shrubs are frost-resistant, because the shoots ripen during the warm season and become lignified.
But at very low temperatures, from -35 °C, the tops suffer.
Care includes:
- after late autumn watering, pine bushes are mulched with sawdust and pine bark;
- young plants are covered with spruce branches or agrotextiles, which will serve as protection not so much from frost as from bright sun rays at the end of winter and in March;
- tall bushes are tied so that the branches do not break off under the weight of snow;
- in February and March, do not allow snow to accumulate inside the bush, which can serve as an optical lens and thus burn out the bases of the shoots;
- if the ice is frozen to the pine branches, they are sprinkled with peat or soil, under which the snow or ice crust melts without harming the plant.
Sometimes shrubs are watered with warm water to awaken them after the snow has completely melted.
How to propagate mountain pine
Some types of conifers sprout well from buried branches. But regarding the propagation of mountain pine by layering, there are no positive responses in the sources. Perhaps the dwarf pine form is more successful in this regard. It is recommended that those varieties that propagate by seedlings be propagated using seeds. This is the most successful way to increase the number of species. Some varieties of dwarf pine can only be obtained through grafting, which, due to its complexity, is accessible to specialists.
Propagation of mountain pine by cuttings at home is also questionable, since most gardeners emphasize that this is a complex process. Cuttings of mountain shrubs have a narrow layer of callus, which is why the shoot segments cannot produce root buds. Special treatment of pine cuttings with growth stimulants and acids is necessary:
- indolylbutyric;
- indolylacetic;
- amber.
Rooting and strengthening of pine sprouts lasts more than a year.
Pests and diseases of mountain pine
One of the dangerous diseases of mountain pine is visible in the photo. Fungal disease Schutte comes in several types, which are caused by different pathogens. In spring, pine needles turn brown, yellow or gray, and also have black spots, then fall off.Shrubs are also affected by gray rot, rust, and bark cancer. Diseases are prevented by spring and summer treatments with Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride, and various insecticides, for example, “Abiga Peak”, “Tilt”.
Among the pests of mountain pine, aphids, or pine hermes, are often found, which feed on the sap of needles. A sign of insect activity is white fluff on the needles, and later a slowdown in shoot growth. Sawflies, mites, and bark beetles also spoil the appearance of coniferous paws of mountain shrubs. Insects are destroyed with the drugs “Rovikurt”, “Actellik” or others. Acaricides are used against ticks.
Conclusion
Mountain pine requires a lot of care in the first seasons until it takes root. Further care is significantly reduced. Decorative varieties of dwarf shrubs enliven the garden landscape, focusing attention in winter, and serve as a pleasant backdrop for flowering plants in summer.
