Do you have little space in the garden but don't want to miss out on the scent and beautiful appearance of a pine tree? Then a mountain pine is exactly the right variety for your requirements. In addition to the rather small growth habit, the tree sets impressive accents with its striking red and yellow flowers. Although the mountain pine is fairly undemanding, you should follow a few care instructions. Here you can find out what is important when it comes to posture.
The mountain pine looks pretty in any garden
Different posture options
The great thing about a mountain pine is that it has numerous uses. The attitude is conceivable
- as bonsai
- as a windbreak
- in the front yard
- as a container plant on the terrace
- as a green roof
In addition, you have a choice of three subspecies, which would be:
- Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo, also known as mountain pine, mountain pine or crippled pine
- Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata, also known as spire, hook pine, upright mountain pine
- Pinus mugo subsp. rotundata, also known as Moorspirke
There are also several cultivars
site selection
The mountain pine thrives in wet to moist, airy soil with an average pH of 4.5-8. It is important that you allow your mountain pine enough light. Otherwise, the tree punishes too shady locations with an unsightly crooked growth.
How to hibernate?
The mountain pine also thrives in cold regions and in extreme locations, so that icy temperatures cannot harm it. You can therefore store your mountain pine outside all year round. However, it should be noted that a permanent snow cover on the branches often leads to a harmful fungal attack.
Important care measures
To cut
The mountain pine has a very slow growth, which is why a pruning is hardly necessary. In addition, the shortening of this type of pine is called pinching. Cut the candles back to half or two-thirds of their length in spring or early summer.
pour
Water your mountain pine copiously from spring through fall. This means you water the substrate until it no longer absorbs liquid. Then let the soil dry slightly. However, it is important to avoid waterlogging, otherwise root rot will quickly occur. Reduce watering in winter.
Fertilize
Although the mountain pine also develops on nutrient-poor soil, a little extra help with liquid fertilizer, which you administer every four to eight weeks from April to September, can't hurt.