Pines

Beautiful family of Pinus

The beautiful family of Pinus features dozens of species and several hundred ornamental forms. Pines differ from other conifers because the needles are formed in attractive clusters of two to five. Plus lots of cones are produced which makes the trees even more eye-catching. 

Pines across the world

Pines (Pinus) occur from the Arctic Circle to the Equator and so are quite adaptable, (however they don’t tolerate polluted air or shade). 

Scots pine

Did you know that the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the only pine which survived the ice age in Europe? It is one of the best-known sources of wood in Northern Europe and Russia. There are quite a few cultivated forms of this native species, such as the narrow ‘Fastigiata’ with blue-grey needles.

Shore pines

Shore pines (Pinus contorta) are an excellent species for gardens on the coast, since they tolerate sea breezes well. Good cultivars are ‘Compacta’, ‘Frisian Gold’ and ‘Spaan’s Dwarf’.

Pinus pumila

Pinus pumila offers many magnificent garden plants.

Mountain pine

The mountain pine (Pinus mugo) offers a wide range of creeping and dwarf forms, such as ‘Corley’s Mat’, ‘Mops’, ‘Humpy’ and ‘Ophir’. The dark green needles on P.mugo ‘Ophir’ change to golden yellow in winter.