Mugo Pine Varieties — Information About Mugo Pine Trees
Mugo pines are seedlings of other varieties that have adapted to cooler climates. These mugos are the ones available at nurseries for planting in your yard. They can vary greatly, but one thing is certain — mugo pines are a great alternative to junipers for gardeners who want something different in the landscape.
Mugo Pine Varieties
Different mugo pine trees can be used for different purposes. For example, the Swiss Mountain Mugo Pine plant is about 10 feet tall and has very dense branches. The needles on this evergreen tree growing up to two inches long and cover every surface except the lower trunk and base of this species. This mugo pine is an excellent choice if you’re wanting a privacy screen or a small windbreak. It is also perfect for areas that are difficult to access because it will grow in shallow soil with little sun.
Caring For Mugo Pines
Most mugos are very adaptable to their surroundings, but they will need regular care if you want them to flourish. These evergreens like lots of water, so make sure your soil drains well especially during the winter months. To help mugo pines stand up to harsh winds, consider staking them when you first plant them. They do best in full sun, but will be just fine with a little less depending on how hot it gets where you live. You can fertilize mugo pines every other month during the spring and summer seasons using acid fertilizer.
Mugo pines can also be very useful and attractive in pots and planters on decks and patios. Make sure to keep them well-watered during the growing season, and always make sure they get enough sun while staying indoors. Just like petunias, mugos do not like the cold temperatures of winter; if you live somewhere where it gets chilly at night bring your mugo pine inside for the winter months before frost sets in. You will need an area that has bright light with southern exposure, but no direct sunlight through glass windows because this will scorch mugo pine needles. Be careful about using pesticides on mugos — read the label carefully and use only as directed by the manufacturer.
Mugo Pine Problems
If your mugo pine doesn’t seem to have much growth, you will want to make sure it is getting lots of sun and enough water. However, mugos can sometimes be a little finicky about their soil — if yours has yellow or brown needles it probably needs acidic soil with more organic matter to help retain moisture. If you live in an area that gets very hot mugos might need shade cloth overhead during the summer months; too much direct sunlight may scorch mugo pine needles. Keep an eye out for pests like bagworms, which are green caterpillars that feed on mugo pine foliage. It may be helpful to hose them off or use insecticidal soap, but controlling these garden pests can be a challenge.
Mugos make excellent specimens for the yard or garden and come in a variety of mugo pine varieties to meet your needs. Whether you need privacy screening, a windbreak, a special gift for someone who loves nature, or simply want something different from your average Christmas tree mugo pines can be a great addition to any landscape. Make sure they have proper care and keep them well-watered during incredibly hot summers with high sun exposure. This will help prevent potential mugo pine problems as mugos are usually quite hardy once acclimated. If you still see the damage after watering try adding organic matter such as composted leaves into their soil to maintain optimum moisture levels.
If you live somewhere mugos can get full sun throughout the day, consider protecting them from damaging ultraviolet rays with a little shade cloth overhead. Mugo pines are most often used as accent plants, but are just as suitable for screening or windbreaks. You can also grow mugo pines indoors in pots on decks and patios, but be sure to keep them away from windows so they don’t get scorched by any direct sunlight through glass.
