'Mops' Mugo Pine at New Hope Garden Center, Blountville, TN

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a slow growing needle evergreen shrub of variable heights ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet and more. Mature height depends on the cultivar planted and environmental conditions on site. Mugo pine is native over many hundreds of miles of alpine climes across Europe. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 3-7, but its heat tolerance in southern parts of zone7 is sub-par.

This shrub pine grows best in full sun, but can tolerate light shade. The key to successfully growing mugo is a moist well-drained loamy soil. Planting in wide shallow holes on raised bed(s) is highly recommended. Mugo has a disease prone shallow rootsystem. Add mulch to keep roots moist and cool. Two-year established mugo pines exhibit good summer drought tolerance.  

The 1-2 inch long dark gray/blue stiff needles are borne in bundles of two. The densely packed needles exhibit a long 5-6 year retention life before succumbing to natural needle drop in early fall.

There is great variability among mugo pines in terms of growth rate, size and shape. The popular variety ‘pumilio’ often grows beyond its stated size and form. ‘Mops’ is the preferred dwarf cultivar, growing 3-5 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. ‘Mops’ may be utilized as a groundcover, included in a low foundation planting, or set in a rock garden. Selected hand pruning of young developing shoots (“candles”) in late spring may dwarf ‘Mops’ or other cultivars even further.

Mugo pine is susceptible to root rot diseases in poorly drained soils. Pine sawflies and tip moths are key insect pests. Quick monitoring and spraying with acephate (Orthene®), cyfluthrin (Bayer Advanced Garden Multi-Insect Killer®), or carbaryl (Sevin®) insecticides will keep these serious pests in check.