Pinus mugo ‘Mughus’

Pinus mugo ‘Mughus’ is the classic dwarf mountain pine, a broad rounded evergreen with densely packed dark green needles. It stays low and spreads slowly, eventually making a rounded mound around 1 to 1.5m tall and wider with time.

Small cones appear in summer and mature to a reddish-brown over the next year. The fresh spring growth stands out as pale green candles against the darker older needles.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. It copes with poor stony ground, drought, cold winters and exposed positions, so this is a great pick for difficult spots. Little to no pruning needed, other than pinching the candles in spring if you want to keep it tighter.

Brilliant in a rock garden, a gravel bed, or a large container on a sunny terrace.