Sherwood Compact Mugo Pine

The Mugo pine is well known, but buying one can be tricky. There are lots of bargains at big box stores, but these may not deliver what you have in mind. If ‘compact and dense’ are what you want, and trimming isn’t your thing, then those bargains can turn out to be big, sprawling plants of no particular beauty. That’s why we are offering the Sherwood Compact Mugo Pine – the densest variety of them all, and renowned for the density and solidity of its growth, with no trimming or candling needed. The short needles have a characteristic twist, and they are deep, rich green. In winter the tips become yellow, returning to green in spring. It’s a steady grower, and becomes a dense, compact ball that when mature is about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Not only is it great for shrub beds and rock gardens, it is perfect in a pot too, bringing its rugged look right onto your terrace, or in your city courtyard. It can also be used for a charming bonsai, and its just as tough and cold-hardy as we expect from Mugo pine trees.

• Top-rated variety noted for its thick needles and dense form
• A dense mound about 3 feet tall when mature
• The branches are naturally short, and densely packed, for a perfect look
• Brings that rugged mountain look to any garden
• Forget that messy trimming of new shoots – it isn’t necessary

Plant the Sherwood Compact Mugo Pine in full sun, that way it will be really solid and dense. Any well-drained soil is fine, from clay to sand and acidic to alkaline. It tolerates urban conditions and grows fine in poor soil. It’s hardy even to zone 2, so winter is no problem to this tough guy. If you remember, give it a deep soak just before freeze-up. In a pot you could leave it outdoors through winter from zone 4, otherwise bury it in the garden for the coldest months. This tree enjoys cold winters and cool summers, and isn’t suitable for areas with hot, humid summers. It isn’t bothered by deer and rarely has any pest problems. Watch out for small caterpillars on the new needles. These can be dislodged with a jet of water if you catch them early, and will stop coming back if you kill them for 2 or 3 seasons.