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Pinus parviflora 'Glauca Brevifolia'

Image of Pinus parviflora 'Glauca Brevifolia'

Mark A. Miller

Family

Pinaceae

Botanical Name

Pinus parviflora 'Glauca Brevifolia'

Plant Common Name

Five-needle Pine, Glauca Brevifolia Five-needle Pine

General Description

Distinguished from other cultivars of Japanese pine by its relatively short blue-green needles, this small evergreen tree is sometimes confused with Pinus parviflora 'Brevifolia'.

This hardy conifer bears bluish-green needles in dense shaggy tufts. The slightly twisted needles occur in bundles of five. In spring, trees produce tiny male cones and larger (but relatively small) female cones near the branch tips. The gray to reddish brown female cones persist for several years.

This cultivar grows relatively slowly into a small, narrowly conical tree. Its smooth gray bark becomes scaly with age, flaking to reveal reddish-brown inner bark.

For best results, give 'Glauca Brevifolia' full sun and well-drained, humus-rich soil. It fares poorly in extreme heat or cold. It makes an ideal specimen tree for tight spaces, and also is suitable for bonsai.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Needled or Scaled Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    15'-40' / 4.6m - 12.2m

  • Width

    10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m

  • Native To

    Japan

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Pyramidal

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    None

  • Fruit Color

    Tan, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Blue Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Blue Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Blue Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Blue Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Platy

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No