Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
Dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family. It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Dwarf mountain pine in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dwarf mountain pine at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Dwarf mountain pine toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: needles, resin
Pine needles and resin can cause mild stomach upset in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dwarf mountain pine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Dwarf mountain pine in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (2 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (4 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (4 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (2 plants)
Questions about Dwarf mountain pine
- How far apart should I plant Dwarf mountain pine?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Dwarf mountain pine need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dwarf mountain pine need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Dwarf mountain pine?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Dwarf mountain pine poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Pine needles and resin can cause mild stomach upset in pets.
- What grows well with Dwarf mountain pine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dwarf mountain pine. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Dwarf cultivars vary greatly in final size.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis
- Lacebark pine Pinus bungeana