Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine

Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin'

$206²³ $241⁵⁰

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Evergreen, Compact/Dwarf, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Hedge/Screen, Drought resistant, and Container Friendly

Specifications

Botanical Name

Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin'
Height

4-6 ft
Width

2-3 ft
Growing Zones

3-7
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Slow
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Evergreen
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Fragrant

Yes

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This dwarf evergreen thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain its tight, globular shape. While it can handle very light shade, too much shade will cause the needles to thin out and the plant to lose its signature blue-green intensity.
Soil: It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil but is remarkably adaptable to different textures. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound to keep the roots from sitting in water; for sandy soils, mix in some organic compost to help hold just enough moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, water deeply twice a week to ensure the root system anchors properly. Once established, the Green Penguin is quite drought-tolerant, though you should still provide a deep soak during extended dry spells to prevent needle drop. Inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can lead to tip browning and a loss of vigor.

Pruning Tips

This slow-growing pine rarely needs pruning because it naturally maintains its pyramidal shape. If you want to keep it extra compact, "pinch" the new growth—called candles—by half in late spring before the needles unfurl. This technique encourages thicker growth without the harsh look of sheared edges, much like giving the plant a light trim to keep its silhouette tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, as this can stimulate soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This prevents winter burn and ensures the plant remains hardy through the coldest months.

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Growing Zones 3-7

Find Your Growing Zone!

Nature Hills works with professional garden designers across the country. We listen to our customers and are constantly adding new and unusual plants and unusual and dwarf-grafted evergreens to our lineup! Darling diminutive size, this marvelous choice for year-round color and bold texture, Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin') stays small and compact. But it delivers a big visual impact, especially in small space gardens.

Our expert nurserymen have carefully cared for these slow-growing plants for years. Over time, they'll grow into a personable little conifer! Modern lots are smaller, and it's important to choose the right-size plants that work well all year. Green Penguin is like having a living Bonsai in your garden! After all, it looks like a larger tree, just much smaller in scale.

This evergreen is the classic Christmas Tree, only it's pint-sized for elves! The pyramid form is unmistakable. The base is wider than the top, and looks a bit "pear-shaped". They really do resemble a little green penguin living in your landscape!

Just like their larger cousins, they produce candles of new growth in springtime. They add a fantastically shaggy look to Green Penguin. Dark green needles are longer than a Dwarf Alberta Spruce. The rich green color stays true all year without discoloration. The densely held needles grow in clusters of two, which makes Green Penguin look like he's enjoyed a feast of fresh fish.

Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 7, these plump Pines grow 4 - 6 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet in width. Slow-growing and needing very little maintenance or work, this evergreen really shows off in the sun!

Planting and Application:

Structure plants like this mini Pine tree are invaluable for defining areas of your landscape. With its help, you'll easily gain a winter view, and give showier perennials a hard-working backdrop. Repeat these sweet little evergreens along the length of your perennial border. Take advantage of their stalwart shape to contrast against airy flowering perennials like Russian Sage or Gaura.

They make natural partners with rough-textured Rudbeckia and Coneflower. Dress up your island Butterfly Garden beds with three of them planted in an informal triangle. Decorate a formal garden with Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine. Use four of them as cone-shaped topiaries in the corners of a Boxwood-lined open rectangular planting bed.

Grow them in the ground, or add as a "Thriller" in large containers. Or...do both! Many of our customers use them as a wonderful seasonal Holiday decoration in large containers and leave them over winter. Be sure to check out our Garden Blog for more how-tos on winter containers. Once the weather warms up in spring, simply transplant them to your garden borders. Their fun size and shape ensure their spot as a special feature.

You'll create a charming modern display without ostentation. This theme would also work well as year round greenery in an Asian-inspired garden, as well. Place several Penguins in a mulched bed near a full-grown evergreen to create a sense of family with a momma or poppa tree and the babies. Rows of just Green Penguins create unique foundation accents and privacy screens.

Fat Fluffy, Very Compact & Dense Evergreen
Long, Dark-Green Needles
Miniature Scots Pine Tree
Bring Structure & Year-Round Color
Works in Small Space Gardens & Grown in Extra-Large Containers

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This Dwarf Pine needs a full sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. It needs well-drained soil that sheds water quickly after rainfall. Beyond that, it is an easy-going evergreen. It tolerates any soil type, as long as it drains well, especially sandy or clay soils.

Keep them in containers if your ground is marshy. Give them a protected spot, out of the worst of the winter winds. Apply a medium amount of water on a regular basis. Be sure to water containerized plants well into late fall, stopping only once the ground is frozen. Mulch both in-ground and container plants with a 3-4-inch layer of mulch. Pull the mulch back from the trunk by several inches.

Give them protection from windy, open exposed sites, and deep winter watering, especially in the coldest growing Zones. If you have deer in your area, we always recommend spraying all new plants with repellent on planting day. Reapply according to the directions. This Dwarf Scotch Pine will never need pruning!

Very Cold Hardy & Loves Full Sun
Well-Drained Soil Locations
Moderate Moisture Needs
Rarely Needs Any Maintenance or Pruning
Low Maintenance - Rarely Requires Pruning

The race is on between you and our pro designers, who will snap these up quickly to delight their customers. Order Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine today at NatureHills.com!

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine

Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications