Japanese White Pine

Pinus parviflora ‘Glauca’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-7a (4-8 in cool-summer climates) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 25-40′, can be kept much smaller with pruning

Width at Maturity: 25-40′, can be kept much smaller with pruning

Spacing: Best as specimen

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Pyramidal, Irregular

Growth Rate: Slow to Medium

Flower Color: NA

Flower Size: NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Gray, Silver, Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average; moderate drought tolerance when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained; occasionally dry when established

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5 (Acid to Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Insect, Salt

Description

A highly unique and attractive coniferous evergreen tree, Pinus parviflora ‘Glauca’, commonly know as the Japanese White Pine, is a slow growing (6″ per year) tree that develops in a broad, conical manner reaching 25 to 40 feet tall and equally as wide at maturity when left to grow naturally. It can be kept much smaller with pruning, which is often done for creating interesting pom pom topiaries and even bonsai, or just so it won’t outgrow its setting. It features silvery blue-grey new leaves that mature to deep green with a glaucous backing when mature. Abundant young cones are a vibrant pink in spring maturing to brown seed cones over time that remain on the tree for up to 7 years. Its smooth grey bark becomes platy in older age. Whether pruned in an artistic manner or left to grow naturally, the outstanding texture and soothing color of the Japanese White Pine make it an eye-catching specimen tree in any sunny area, even in coastal areas due to its salt tolerance.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 25 to 40 feet tall and equally as wide, the Japanese White Pine is ideal for use as a specimen in any sunny and well-draining location. With pruning you can create endless interesting topiary forms for use as eye-catching focal point specimens in the landscape. A fine addition to Asian theme gardens and conifer gardens and is suitable for growing in large pots.

Suggested Spacing: Best as a specimen

Growing Preferences

Though drought tolerant when established, the Japanese White Pine grows best in a moist but well-drained fertile soil in full sun but will tolerate some light afternoon shade. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. As with so many other ornamental trees, constantly soggy soil can cause problems with the roots. Does not require pruning however the candles on this pine can be pruned by up to 50 percent of their length to control the size of the tree and branches can be selectively removed to form very interesting and unique topiary forms.

How To Prune Pines

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