Digging deeperPlant Library

Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Scots Pine

Description:

A spreading and trailing garden shrub with dark green foliage, very unlike the species; tends to crawl along the ground and over rocks or walls; extremely hardy and adaptable, an excellent choice for detail use in the garden or for rock gardens

Ornamental Features

Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has rich green evergreen foliage. The needles remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. 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. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. 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. 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.