Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Mugho Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine

Description:

One of the smallest dwarf varieties is very short needled and slow growing; a tiny green treasure that is used for miniature gardens, this selection is a wonderful addition to the rock garden or container plantings

Ornamental Features

Mitsch Mini Mugo Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has attractive grayish green evergreen foliage. The tiny needles are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Mitsch Mini Mugo Pine is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mitsch Mini Mugo Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Mitsch Mini Mugo Pine will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Nursery Notes

Drought tolerant after establishment (3-5 years)