Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001113
11/12/99

Pinus mugo--Swiss Mountain Pine


Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7
Height: 20 ft Spread: 25 ft Form: rounded
Type: narrow-leaved evergreen tree
Annual Growth Rate: less than 12 inches

Comments: Swiss Mountain Pine (Vis. 3) is a shrub or small
tree. Plant size and density can be controlled by pruning.
Mugo Pine is a favored host for pine sawfly, pine needle
scale and is also susceptible to diplodia tip blight.

Cultivars:
'Aurea' - A semi-dwarf form, light green (Vis. 4) needles
turn yellow color in winter.
'Big Tuna' - An Iseli selection with a dense, compact,
upright growth habit.
'Corley's Mat' - A low, mat-forming plant.
'Elfengren' - A low plant with dark green foliage.
'Enci' - A low plant, 3 feet tall but 5 feet wide.
'Gnom' ('Gnome') - A dwarf that becomes conical to
upright with age.
'Gold Spire' - The new growth emerges yellow but fades
to green.
'Green Candle' - A rounded plant with dark green foliage.
'Hesse' - A large, dense, rounded shrub.
'Honeycomb' - Foliage is golden fall through winter.
'Mitsch Mini' - A low, spreading plant (Vis. 5) with
twisted needles.
'Mops' - A compact plant that requires no pruning to
maintain its shape.
'Mugo' - A dwarf variety that requires regular pruning
to thicken and maintain its low profile (Vis. 1).
'Paul's Dwarf' - A slow-growing selection with short
needles. An Iseli selection.
'Pot o' Gold' - Winter foliage is yellow.
'Prostrata' - A prostrate form.
var. pumilio - A commonly used ornamental where a small
pine is desired. It is grown from seed and so plants
will vary considerably (Vis. 2).
var. rostrata - A conical, compact form that produces
small cones when mature. Probably a hybrid with P.
uncinata.
'Sherwood Compact' - A compact form with dark green
foliage.
'Slowmound' - A dwarf, 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
'Tannenbaum' - A compact, pyramidal tree with good winter
hardiness.
'Valley Cushion' - A miniature forming a small, dark
green mound.
'White Bud' - A dwarf on which the buds are coated with
resin in winter making them appear white. An Iseli
selection.
'Valley Cushion' - A low plant with yellow needle
variegation.

References for Cultivars: Iseli Nursery 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, Monrovia Nursery
Company 1997, Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Wayside Gardens 1999,
Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999, Midwest Groundcovers
1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.


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