Dwarf Mugo Pine

Pinus mugo var. pumilio

$66⁴⁰ $79⁹⁵

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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

Evergreen, Drought resistant, and Cold hardy

Specifications

Botanical Name

Pinus mugo var. pumilio
Height

3-5 ft
Width

3-5 ft
Growing Zones

2-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Slow
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Dark Green
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Spring

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This pine thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily to maintain its tight, compact shape. While it can handle very light afternoon shade, too much shade results in a "leggy" appearance with sparse needles.
Soil: It prefers well drained soil and is quite adaptable to various textures, though it struggles in standing water. For heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound to keep the root crown high, or mix in some coarse organic matter to improve drainage.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide deep watering twice a week to ensure the root system establishes firmly. Once mature, Dwarf Mugo Pines are remarkably drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during extreme heat can cause the interior needles to turn brown and drop prematurely. Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy, as the plant prefers to dry out slightly between watering sessions.

Pruning Tips

These pines produce new growth in the form of "candles," which are the upright light green shoots that appear in spring. To maintain a dense, rounded shape, snap or prune these candles in half by mid June before the needles fully unfurl. This technique, similar to a controlled haircut, encourages the plant to put its energy into thicker growth rather than height.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer designed for evergreens in early spring just as the new growth begins. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, as this can stimulate soft new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season growth is highly susceptible to winter burn and can weaken the overall health of your shrub.

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Growing Zones 2-8

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Dense, Dark Green, Dwarf Conifer

Dark Needles on Dense Branches
Loves Well Drained Soil
Long Lived

Mugo Pine - Pumilo, Pinus mugo 'Pumilio', is a popular dwarf conifer that is rugged, hardy and has dark green needles on dense branches. It makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or for the moisture-conserving landscape.

Dwarf Mugo Pine is a useful slow growing evergreen for rock gardens, mass plantings and in groupings. It makes a great container plant too.

In order for it to maintain its excellent form, texture, and color detail in the garden, this Dwarf Mugo Pine needs full sun and prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil. It will die in standing water.

Prune candles to keep tight and maintain a dense habit of growth. It tends to fill out right to the ground so doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front.

Dwarf Mugo Pine is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

This is a rather low maintenance shrub and if pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback.

Dwarf Mugo Pine Trees grow at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

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

Dwarf Mugo Pine

Pinus mugo var. pumilio

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Specifications