How to Grow and Care for Mugo pine

Mugo pine, also known as Mountain pine, Creeping pine, Swiss mountain pine, Dwarf mountain pine, Dwarf pine, Scrub mountain pine

Mugo pine is a hardy, evergreen conifer with a relatively low-maintenance care profile. Key to its care is ensuring well-drained soil and full sun exposure for optimal growth and health. One special care point is to avoid overwatering, as mugo pine is drought-tolerant and excess moisture can lead to root rot. Regular monitoring for pests like pine sawfly is essential for maintaining the plant's well-being.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Mugo pine

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	5-6.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	4-9

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Varieties of Mugo pine

Mugo pine 'Humpy'

Mugo pine 'Humpy' is best suited for full sun conditions. Beloved by gardeners, this pine cultivar won the Award of Garden Merit. The meaning of its cultivar name is unknown. Although slow-growing, due to its versatility, gardeners can utilize the mugo pine 'Humpy' in wet or acidic sites, as long as they are well drained.

Mugo pine 'Mughus'

Mugo pine 'Mughus' (Pinus mugo 'Mughus') is a much more compact and slow-growing version of Mugo pine (Pinus mugo). These pines are perfect for creating seamless landscapes as they hug the ground and maintain their shape better than other members of the species. They are relatively easy to care for and can live for 70 years or more!

Mugo pine 'Carstens'

Mugo pine 'Carstens' (Pinus mugo 'Carstens') is a dwarf cultivar of Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) that was discovered by Erwin Carstens in Germany; it is commonly misnamed as 'Carsten's Wintergold.' These plants feature green pines in the summer which eventually turn gold during the winter; they also develop shorter needles at the ends of each branch, creating a crowning effect.

Mugo pine 'Ophir'

The mugo pine 'Ophir' is a dwarf variant of the mugo pine, selected because it grows very slowly. This trait makes it a good choice for gardeners with limited space, for planting in rock gardens, or for containers. It has fine, yellow-green needles which are bright and attractive year round.

Mugo pine 'Slowmound'

A compact variety of Mugo pine, mugo pine 'Slowmound' has short needles that give the plant a tidy appearance that gardeners like. Slowmound is a name derived from two of the variety's unique characteristics: that it is slow-growing and that it stays in a dense mound.

Common Pests & Diseases

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More General Info About Mugo pine

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Mugo pine is a versatile conifer ranging in size that commonly presents as a low, broad-spreading, and bushy shrub. Its foliage consists of medium to dark green needles, which are gathered in pairs, measuring 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) in length, with a sturdy, thick, and smooth texture. The evergreen has separate male and female cones; the male being greenish-yellow cylinders, and the female ranging from yellowish-green to purple. The mature female cones turn dark brown and measure 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm) long, typically ripening in the fall.