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Pinus mugo, mugo pine
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Coniferous Shrubs

Pinus mugo

mugo pine

Pinaceae
Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, and Pyrenees; subalpine zone at 3,300-8,200 feet (1,000-2,500 m)

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height3-20 feet (0.9-6 m)
Width5-20 feet (1.5-6 m)
Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Pinus mugo is mugo pine (Swiss mountain pine), a mounding evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree growing 3-20 feet (0.9-6 m) tall and 5-20 feet (1.5-6 m) wide. Dark green stiff needles in fascicles of 2, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). In Pinaceae. Mugo = Tyrolean dialect name. A 2-needle pine. EXTREMELY VARIABLE from seed — seedlings range from 3-20 feet (0.9-6 m), which is the primary planting risk. For predictable compact forms, use named cultivars or var. pumilio. Candle pruning in June controls size. Pine needle scale and European pine sawfly are the primary pests. Native to the Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, and Pyrenees at 3,300-8,200 feet (1,000-2,500 m). Tolerates extreme cold (zone 2), drought, wind, poor soil, and wide pH range (4.5-7.5). Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 2-8. Full sun. Growth rate is slow.

Native Range

Native to the Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, and Pyrenees. Found in the subalpine zone at 3,300-8,200 feet (1,000-2,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as a foundation plant, specimen, rock garden, and in containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L), spaced 5-20 feet (1.5-6 m) depending on form. Highly variable from seed — use named cultivars for predictable size. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.

How to Identify

Identified by a dense mounding to spreading form with dark green stiff needles in fascicles of 2 and small dark brown cones 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). Distinguished from P. sylvestris (taller, flaking orange upper bark) and P. nigra (taller, longer stiffer needles). In Pinaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 20'
Width/Spread5' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — conifer. Monoecious. Yellow male strobili at base of new candles and small reddish-purple female cones at candle tips in May-June. Dark brown ovoid cones 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) mature in two years.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green, needles in fascicles of 2, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm), stiff, slightly curved; densely packed on ascending branches forming a rounded to broadly spreading mound

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandrocky
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 4.5-7.5. Drought-tolerant. Candle prune in June (pinch new candles by half) to control size — critical for species seedlings which are highly variable. Pine needle scale and European pine sawfly are the primary pests. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 2-8.

Pruning

Candle prune in June — pinch or cut new candles (elongating shoots) by one-third to one-half before needles fully expand. This controls size and increases density. Do not cut into old wood without needles. Essential for size management in seed-grown specimens.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic