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Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)
$20-50avg. price
Shrub Deer ResistantDrought Tolerant

Mugo Pine

Pinus mugo

Mugo Pine is the compact, mounding pine for foundation plantings and rock gardens — dense green needles on a naturally rounded form that doesn't need shearing. Dwarf cultivars like 'Pumilio' stay under 3 feet; 'Slowmound' stays even smaller. It handles brutal cold, wind, poor soil, and drought. The perfect evergreen for tight spaces.

Hardiness Zones
2-7
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water Needs
Low
Maintenance
Low
Mature Size
3-5 ft (dwarf), 10-20 ft (standard) H × 5-10 ft W
Growth Rate
Slow
Bloom Season
Non-flowering (evergreen)
Bloom Color
Dark green needles year-round

Care Guide

Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Extremely cold hardy (zone 2). Pinch new 'candles' in spring by half to maintain density and control size. No other pruning needed. Very few pest issues. Drought tolerant. Choose labeled dwarf cultivars — seedling mugo pines vary wildly in mature size.

Landscape Uses

Foundation plantingsRock gardensMass plantingsAlpine gardensBorders

Best Growing Regions

northeastmidwestmountainwest

Great Companion Plants

Juniper
Blue Fescue
Blue FescueFestuca glauca
Sedum
Barberry
BarberryBerberis thunbergii
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Dwarf Alberta SprucePicea glauca 'Conica'

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