mugo pine

Mugo pine prefers moist soil, so regular watering is necessary. During the growing season, water small to medium-sized mugo pine every 7-10 days; larger specimens may need watering every 4-5 days in hot, dry summer weather. In the fall, reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks. In winter, the need for water is greatly reduced; water sparingly, if at all. Too much winter water can cause root rot. Mugo pine can tolerate occasional irrigation during prolonged dry spells during winter months, but avoid wetting the foliage.

Mugo pine needs full sun exposure to grow properly and thrive. During the spring and summer months, it should receive full sun from 10 AM to 6 PM each day. In the autumn and winter months, mugo pine should receive full sun for at least 5 hours each day. Proper sunlight exposure helps it grow lushly with dense foliage and stay healthy.

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) should be pruned twice a year, in late winter and in late summer. When pruning in late winter, cut out any dead, broken, or diseased branches. Also, any branches that are weak, crossed over each other, or rubbing against other branches should be removed. During late summer pruning, shear the entire tree/hedge to create a symmetrical look and to keep it from becoming too large. This species should not be pruned beyond 30% of its total foliage at any 1 time, and take care not to shear it too drastically as this can ruin the appearance of the tree.