Scotch pine

Scotch pine should be watered as soon as the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. This usually means watering once or twice a week, depending on how humid the environment is and how much sun the plant is receiving. During hot, dry weather, you may need to water your Scotch pine more often. It is important to not overwater, as Scotch pine are drought-tolerant, and can suffer from root-rot if their soil is too wet. If water tends to puddle on the surface for more than a few minutes after you water, you may need to consider re-potting the plant with or into a well-draining mix.

Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Hillside Creeper') requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to stay healthy and thrive. Depending on the season, the amount of direct sunlight may need to be adjusted in order to ensure the plant is receiving the optimal amount of light. During the summer months, the plant will need more direct sunlight than it will need during the winter months, when the days are shorter and there is less direct sunlight. Additionally, the plant may need protection from intense summer sun. For maximum success, it is best to place the plant in a location that gets the most morning light and dappled sunlight throughout the day.

Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Hillside Creeper') should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Pruning should be done conservatively, removing no more than 1-third of the total needles from a single branch. Remove old, dead, or damaged branches as well as any overlapping or overly-long branches. If there are multiple leaders at the same height, 1 or 2 should be selected to keep as the main leader, while the rest should be removed. Pruning should also be done to improve the form of the tree and to keep it from growing too large. Overall, Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Hillside Creeper') should be pruned sparingly and conservatively.