Pinus nigra ‘Nana’

Pinus nigra ‘Nana’ is the compact form of the Austrian black pine, and it’s been around since before 1855. The paired, needle-like dark green leaves are held densely on short branches, giving a plant that’s as much a mound as a tree.

Growth is very slow. Expect it to reach about 1.5m tall and a little wider in ten years, eventually capping out around 2m tall and 4m across given many decades. Small ovoid green cones ripen to pale brown.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. It’s not fussy about soil, tolerates clay, chalk, sandy soils and poor conditions, and shrugs off summer drought. Fully hardy to well below minus 20 degrees.

Brilliant in a rockery, gravel bed, or as a long-term container specimen.