Dwarf Pines

During the winter months conifers take center stage in our gardens. The textures and colors of our needled trees add beauty and green color to our drab winter landscape. Two additions to our Winter Garden have been turning heads this season.

Here at the Arboretum, we have been growing P. ‘Minuta’ since 2008 and the habit has remained dwarf and ideal for rock or bonsai gardens. photo credit: R. Robert

Ideal for any garden on a small property with a long descending walkway,  dwarf cultivars of the beloved pine tree have been moved into the Winter Garden. Pinus strobus ‘Minuta’ was selected for its low mounded habit. This cultivar resembles the stately white pine of the northeastern forest without the concerns of weak wood collapsing on your car/house in the snow, wind, or rain.  Here at the Arboretum, we have been growing P. ‘Minuta’ since 2008 and the habit has remained dwarf and ideal for rock or bonsai gardens.

The needles of Pinus parviflora 'Adcock's Dwarf' are an interesting stout, twisted blue-green to gray-green. photo credit: R. Robert

Another great dwarf recently relocated to the Winter Garden is Pinus parviflora ‘Adcock’s Dwarf’.  A selection of the Japanese white pine, P. ‘Adcock’s Dwarf’ has a globose growth habit, reaching 3 to 4 feet wide and high. The needles are an interesting stout, twisted blue-green to gray-green. Our specimen has been growing since 2000 and has maintained its dwarf stature.

Reaching a height of 2 to 7 feet and 3 to 10 foot spread, Pinus strobus 'Nana' is a great low-maintenance dwarf pine. photo credit: R. Robert

A larger dwarf white pine selection is Pinus strobus ‘Nana’. Our specimen has been growing in the Scott Entrance Garden since 1980.  This spreading, compact, mounded selection of white pine has soft-to-the-touch silvery blue-green needles. Reaching a height of 2 to 7 feet and 3 to 10 foot spread, it is a great low-maintenance dwarf pine.

A selection of the Japanese white pine, P. ‘Adcock’s Dwarf’ has a globose growth habit, reaching 3 to 4 feet wide and high. photo credit: R. Robert

Consider exploring the possibilities of dwarf pines in your garden.