Other Names:  Mugho Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine

Description:

This semi dwarf variety is a rounded dense stiff needled shrub that is excellent to use in foundation plantings, Asian gardens, rock gardens and containers; little pruning needed to keep its shape makes it suitable for low borders

Ornamental Features

Rock Island Mugo Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The needles remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Rock Island Mugo Pine is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded 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.

Rock Island Mugo Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Rock Island Mugo Pine will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. 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 considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. 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. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.