Pinus pa. 'Glauca' #35

Pinus parviflora 'Glauca'

A graceful Japanese native that brings timeless elegance to the landscape. This slow-growing pine features stiff, slightly twisted needles in bundles of five—bright green on the outer surface with striking blue-white inner surfaces that create an overall silvery-blue effect. The needles appear in brush-like tufts clustered at branch tips, adding textural charm to the already picturesque silhouette. Young trees develop a dense conical habit, but with age transform into wide-spreading specimens with distinctly horizontal branches that create a beautiful layered, pad-like effect. The grayish bark starts smooth but develops interesting fissures and plated scales on mature trees. One of the most ornamental features is the abundant cone production—thick, leathery brownish-red cones measuring 2-4 inches long appear even on young trees, weigh down branch tips for an aged look, and persist for up to 6-7 years. Thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Deer resistant and tolerant of urban conditions. Perfect as a specimen tree, in Asian-inspired gardens, or wherever you want year-round architectural beauty. Winner of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Why We Love It: Those horizontal tiered branches weighted with persistent cones create a living sculpture. We love all Japanese white pines, but this one is extra lovely. 

Photo credit: Oregon State University