Types Of Pine Trees For Landscaping

I will be recommending different types of pine trees for landscaping.

Pine trees make an excellent addition to most landscapes. They are beautiful, easy to care for, and you can find them in most nurseries.

If you’d like to add pine trees to your garden but aren’t sure what to go for, then keep reading.

Types Of Pines For Landscaping

You can try the options listed below –

1. Pinus Densiflora ‘Low Glow’

This USDA zone 5 plant features beautiful greenish needles and a red-colored bark when it reaches full maturity.

It is a slow grower that requires very little maintenance. There’d be hardly any need to prune this plant for many years of having it on your landscape.

This is not to say that pruning is forbidden, of course not. You can still prune it to open the crown for better air supply or design sake.

2. Pinus mugo (mountain pine or mugo pine) cultivars

The ACS has confirmed the existence of close to 80 cultivars of this species.

This USDA zone 3 plants can easily be found at your local nurseries, as they are among the most common variety around. Their availability comes as no surprise since they are among the toughest, most tolerant conifers you can find.

They derive their origins from the windy mountains located in central Europe, so you can understand where they get their toughness from.

Toughness isn’t their only strong point, they also look good and would do very well on your landscape.

The ‘Jakobsen’ mugo pine is one variety of this species that requires zero pruning for it to achieve a solid posture and appearance. All you have to do is plant it and let it follow its natural growth pattern.

The needles are colored deep green, so you can imagine how it would look in your garden.

It’s also a good choice if you’re looking to plant it as a container plant or use it as a border plant. They can equally fit into rock gardens.

There are several variations you can try, these include the Schweitzer tourist pine, Carstens, sunshine, and amber-gold variations.

3. Pinus parviflora (Japanese white pine) cultivars

This USDA zone 5 Japanese white pine is another great landscaping option.

They are beautifully formed and they ooze elegance all year round, even in the winter.

They feature very soft and delicate needles that have splashes of white, blue, or gold. Their pollen cones are also among the most stunning you can find.

As for toughness, well they can’t match up to the Mugo. Nonetheless, if you provide them with adequate drainage and shade them away from hot areas, then they will do very well.

The ‘Fukuzumi’ variation is one you may like. It has attractive blue/green needles and you can keep it for years without pruning.

Other variations you can choose from including the Tenysu Kazu. Ask your local nursery if it’s available

Besides the soft and attractive needles, the Japanese white pines also have the most attractive male pollen cones you can find in the world.

I recommend!

4. Pinus banksiana ‘Uncle Fogy’

These pines are among the most unique of their species, but not because they are the most beautiful, but because they are among the most inconsistent and oddly-shaped pines in existence.

This USDA zone 2 plant can appear to be weeping, or twisted, or upright. Amazingly, no two of this variation look alike!

The Pinus Banksiana are popular for their irregular growth than any other pine species. They can appear to be growing upright for a while, then start weeping after some time, only for them to start growing back upright again.

Regardless of their irregular growth patterns, they are among the best pines for pruning and shaping.

These plants are also tough, and they require little maintenance to reach their full potential. Keep in mind though, if you must prune them into the desired form, then do so when they are still young before they are established.

The Manomet and Angell species are some you can try on your landscape.

5. Pinus jeffreyi ‘Joppi’ (Joppi Jeffrey pine)

In America, no state has a higher amount of pf conifers than California. The conehead variation is one of the most popular in the western state, and the Joppi remains a common choice.

This USDA zone 8 conifers can reach up to 120 inches at full maturity and it fits very well into any garden setting.

It has an attractive cluster of long, stiff needles and lightly colored foliage.

You can buy some food at your local tree nursery.

6. Pinus strobus cultivars

This USDA zone 3 plant has a very soft texture, you almost won’t believe how tolerable it is.

It is a 5-needle pine filled with classy attributes and the ACS confirms over 100 variations of this plant.

Being one of the most garden-friendly conifers, I don’t see why it won’t fit very well into your landscaping plans.

You can try the “blue shag” if you’re looking for a touch of bluish-green color to be added to your garden.

This plant does not generate a central leader as it grows, and it can tolerate pruning.

You can also try out the Pinus strobus, this is a more elegant version of the “uncle foggy” species, but it is not ideal for smaller gardens.

Keep in mind though, if you’re one who loves your trees to have an orderly look, then this would not be your best choice. You can prune it occasionally to maintain your desired shape.

7. Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) cultivar

The scots pine is one of my favorite pine species in the world. This USDA zone 3 plant features a flat, bluish/green set of needles over it.

They are also compact and can be grown as container plants or border plants.

The Watereri is a variation you might like. It is a slow grower and they look really good. Also, maintain them is just as easy as most pine trees.

If you’d fancy golden foliage instead of blue, then you can try the Pinus Sylvestris. Its bright gold color will give your landscape a look of royalty which Manny other plants cannot offer.

The Nisbet gold species is also another great conifer for those who love the golden look. It has a very tidy habit and it grows relatively slow.

This plant can thrive in full sun, but you will need to provide adequate irrigation, just so it doesn’t burn out.

There are so many variations of scot pine cultivars to select from, and you may get confused doing so since they all have amazing physical features.

8. Pinus nigra ‘Oregon Green’ (Oregon green Austrian pine)

The Austrian pine, which grows in USDA zone 4 is probably the hardest pines on Earth. If you ever get a chance to feel its hardwood, then you’d know why I say so.

Ironically, in the timber world, all conifers are termed ‘softwood’. Don’t be confused though.

The needles on this plant are stiff, and they have a nice, dark green color. The tree as a whole grows pretty well into a beautiful naturally shaped structure that requires little or no pruning.

LIST: Pine Species Of Oregon

The “Oregon green” is a variation you would like.

9. Pinus koraiensis (Korean pine) ‘Dragon’s Eye’

The Korean pine is a hardy USDA zone 3 plant which offers you both beauty and ruggedness. Most of its variations have curled up needles.

This is an upright growing plant that is suitable for small gardens, all thanks to its compact nature.

10. PInus wallichiana ‘Zebrina’

This is the last on my list but not the least. This one of the very best pine trees known to man, thanks to all its many interesting qualities.

They’ve got very long, unique looking needles that are covered in pale yellow color. Just imagine how good a few of these trees will look at your landscape. You, your family members, and your visitors will all be impressed!

Those who have been privileged to catch a glimpse of this cultivar in winter light can testify to how good they look.

There you have it, my 10 favorite types of pine trees for landscaping.

How To Choose A Pine Tree For Your Landscape

There are a lot more species and variations of pine trees as you can guess, and choosing a few for your landscaping plans might be tricky.

However, if your garden is already laid out and the trees and other structures have already been put in place, then it would be easier to choose which pine tree to plant.

For instance, if your garden has a brownish theme, then you can go for a pine tree that has gold-colored foliage. If your garden is dominated by blue-flowered trees, then you can go for pines that have bluish/green foliage.

Also remember to check the USDA hardiness zone of the plant you buy, just to make sure it can thrive in your area.

Conclusion

I hope this article on types of pines for landscaping has provided you with many options to choose from. I’m sure you’ve come across one species you like!

Here is how to prune pines.

Stay safe!