How to properly care for them

Properties of the mountain pine

• Latin name: Pinus mugo
• maximum height: 10 m
• Use: individually. as embankment, in a bucket, as a hedge plant (ideal wind protection)
• Location: sunny to partially shaded
• Characteristics: evergreen, hardy, perennial
• Flower: yellow or pink
• Root: heavily branched, does not form a taproot
• Soil requirements: undemanding

Care tips

Since a mountain pine is particularly hardy (it can withstand temperatures down to -35 ° C), wintering in the house is not necessary. You can safely put the little tree in the ground. No matter what substrate your garden provides, the mountain pine adapts to the soil conditions.
Since the mountain pine can cope with a strong pruning very well, it is up to you at what height you keep your conifer. The mountain pine usually grows 7-10 m tall in the garden. With a regular cut it can also be used very well as a hedge plant. Nevertheless, there are a few things you should pay attention to when cutting, because errors only grow out slowly. How to properly cut your mountain pine:

• cut off all old, dried-up branches in May and June and thin out the conifer thoroughly
• cut the new candles back in half
• April is best for pruning, just before the plant sprouts. If you are unable to do so in spring, you can also prune the mountain pine for the rest of the year without causing any major damage

Special species

A mountain pine is not an everyday garden planting and looks great. However, special cultivated forms such as

• the Krummholz mountain pine
• or the mountain pine "winter sun"

The former is very suitable as a hedge plant, as its bushy growth is more wide than high. The mountain pine "winter sun" brings color into your garden with its beautiful golden yellow needle dress.