Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Eastern White Pine

Description:

A dwarf and compact evergreen shrub which grows very slowly, keeping it dense and compact without requiring pruning; features short, bluish-green needles, densely branched, makes a find specimen or garden plant, relatively rare and hard to find

Ornamental Features

Dense Dwarf White Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its decidedly oval form. It has attractive green evergreen foliage. The needles are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dense Dwarf White Pine is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Dense Dwarf White Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Dense Dwarf White Pine will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selection of a native North American species.