Ornamental pine: species with a description, selection and cultivation

The dwarf forms of conifers are especially loved by landscape designers. Ornamental pine is no exception - it is actively grown by gardeners and indoor floriculture lovers. A coniferous tree, even in miniature, retains all its valuable biological properties, looks attractive, does not require complex maintenance. In the garden, it can become part of a spectacular Japanese-style landscape, and at home it can be transformed into an elegant bonsai.

All the main varieties of decorative pine trees for the garden with a description and details of growing are worth studying in more detail. To properly plant any plant in a pot, you must first learn more about it. Even the smallest species need careful care and attention, so it will be best if they receive everything they need from the very first days of their lives.

Ornamental pine is not any special type of coniferous plant. This category includes trees with the following growth rates:

• dwarf - their growth per year is 8-15 cm, suitable for planting in the garden and container growing;
• mini-dwarf - give an increase of 8-10 cm during the year, are suitable for home cultivation;
• microdwarf - they gain no more than 3 cm in height per year, on their basis the most spectacular bonsai are obtained.

Dendrologists offer their own classification, according to which pines are considered dwarf, at the age of 30-50 years not exceeding the height of human growth (150-170 cm). These trees are recommended for cultivation as a home plant, have a compact crown and root system.

Decorative pine trees are a great addition to the decoration of the garden landscape. Varieties with a compact pyramidal crown are used to decorate entrances and entrances. Trees with a spherical crown are perfect for landscaping the landscape of the courtyard, and will also be indispensable in rocky gardens and rockeries.

Creeping and cushion branches are also used in decorating the territory. These dwarf pines are used to decorate flower beds. Weeping forms of this evergreen tree are no less in demand. It is recommended to plant them around artificial ponds, streams, near fountains. Decorative pine trees with a cylindrical crown are used to create hedges and alleys along the paths.

Decorative conifers go well with each other in group plantings. Dwarf pines with different crown shapes allow you to form unusual landscape compositions.

Beautiful plants with a spherical, conical, pyramidal crown are harmoniously combined with each other.

When choosing a decorative pine for a garden, it is worth choosing species that can maintain compact dimensions for a long time. Their description usually contains a mention of dwarfism. It is worth paying attention to the species Pinus mugo - mountain pine, which has many interesting varieties. Among those suitable for growing in the open field, the following varieties can be distinguished.

• Benjamin. It is characterized by an increase of up to 5 cm per year, and an adult tree reaches a height of 70 cm. The diameter of the crown of this pine variety can be up to 1 m. The shoots are abundant from the trunk, they are short, with dense needles. Young buds, similar to tall candles, give a special decorative effect to the plant.

• Jesek. The plant reaches 40 cm in height, has a decorative, curly crown. During the year it grows by only 1 cm. The plant is compact, suitable for group planting, club decoration and rockeries.

Scots pine also has beautiful decorative species. Columnar "Fastagiata" differs in gray-gray color of needles, branches tightly pressed to the trunk. "Globoza viridis" - a variety with a spherical crown of almost regular shape. An adult plant reaches 1.5 m in height. "Pendula" Is a slow growing weeping pine that looks very attractive.

Pine species suitable for growing outdoors require careful planting. When choosing a place, you should give preference to sunny, well-lit areas of the territory. The best soil is loam or sandy loam; on other soils, additional drainage will have to be built to improve air exchange and drain water from the roots. The acidity should be neutral, a slightly alkaline soil is also suitable, if necessary, you can improve these indicators by adding lime.

It is not recommended to put organic fertilizers in the pit, these trees react negatively to such feeding. For planting, it is worth choosing an autumn or spring period. In the summer, it is not worth doing work, there is a high probability of drying out of the roots.

The seedlings are placed in prepared soil, sprinkled with soil up to the root collar, and watered abundantly. In the first months, the regime of moisture intake under the root should be intense. Sprinkling can be done on hot days.

Not all varieties of ornamental pines are considered suitable varieties for growing in a pot. But there are varieties that can feel good in the interior of the house. These include bristlecone pine. This small tree with raised branches can act as a base for making bonsai and grows very slowly.

White pine is also suitable for growing in a pot. The Blue Sheg variety with an original spherical crown looks especially interesting. The needles have a bluish-green hue, the trunk of an adult plant reaches 1.2 m in height.

Of the types of mountain pine with a compact spherical crown for home growing are suitable:

• "Pug", giving no more than 50 cm of growth in 10 years;
• "Gnome", reaching 1 m.

The list is not limited to these varieties. Bosnian pine with white bark is well known to amateurs. It is characterized by a lush, dense spherical crown. The growth in height of this plant reaches no more than 5 cm per year.

A dwarf decorative pine purchased in a nursery must be properly planted. If you plan to grow in a pot, the procedure will be as follows.

A prepared ceramic or plastic container with a diameter of 10-15 cm, in the bottom of which holes are made for drainage, is poured over with boiling water in order to prevent bacterial contamination.

Fertile soil is prepared from a mixture of equal amounts of coarse sand and leafy earth or peat. The soil is poured in a slide in the center of the pot.

A seedling removed from a container with roots is freed from the soil. Old dry or rotten roots are removed. Sections are processed with activated carbon powder. The seedling is placed in a container with prepared soil, sprinkled with earth.

After the transplant is completed, the dwarf pine is sent to a semi-shady place for up to 2 weeks. The plant is watered abundantly, sprinkling is carried out. It is worth considering that for growing dwarf forms, it is recommended to take pots with a smaller diameter than those used in the nursery. Then the growth of the seedling will be inhibited.

Dwarf decorative pine, although it is a plant that is quite resistant to various factors, still needs to choose the right place for its placement. For a potted seedling, the best choice would be a balcony or window on the northeast or east side of the house. In winter, the indoor ephedra will need to create special conditions. It is necessary to find a room where the temperature will be maintained within 6-12 degrees Celsius.

The subsequent care of the ornamental pine involves placing the plant in a pot outdoors in the summer. The tree is left in partial shade, providing it with protection from the scorching sun's rays. A seedling in a pot is watered daily in the warm season, the needles are sprayed from a spray bottle with settled or well water. In autumn, moisture intake is reduced, in winter it is provided only when necessary, so that the soil does not dry out.

Top dressing for young pines is needed throughout the summer and spring seasons. It is performed monthly, making 1/2 dosage for potted plants, as well as the full recommended dosage for seedlings grown in the open field. Special ready-made mixtures for ephedra are used.

For decorative pines, see the next video.