Plant Primer: Albyn prostrate Scots pine almost resembles a ground cover

Albyn prostrate Scots pine

Light: full sun

Height: 1-2 feet

Spread: 6-8 feet

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7

Origin: Great Britain; a nursery seedling selection from Ohio

Albyn prostrate Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris ‘Albyn Prostrata’) is a low-growing evergreen that could almost be called a ground cover. It grows with an irregular habit — more outward than upward.

The mature branches lay on the ground while the new branches reach upward until they become heavy and tumble over. 

Growing in clusters of two, the 2-inch foliage has slightly twisted blue-green needles. 

Albyn prostrate Scots pine thrives in well-draining soil and is tolerant of urban conditions. It makes a nice addition to a hilly rock garden, garden borders along a stone wall or even on the bank of a stream.

See Albyn prostrate Scots pine growing in the Crane Ornamental Grass and Conifer Collection at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. 

— Barbara Arnold

Franklin Park Conservatory