Pumilio Mugo Pine

Pumilio Mugo Pine packs classic evergreen texture into a small, tidy footprint. Its dense, mounded form stays neat without constant pruning, bringing four-season structure to rock gardens, borders, and containers. Slow-growing and long-lived, it’s a reliable way to add depth and year-round color. Short, rich-green needles hold their color through winter and shrug off wind and cold. Use one as an anchor near steps or group several along a slope for effortless, low-water curb appeal. This compact pine is tough, handsome, and easy to place.

Name notes and spelling: The most accurate botanical name is Pinus mugo var. pumilio, commonly shortened to Pumilio Mugo Pine. You’ll also see “Mugho” used in the trade—both refer to the same plant. Other names include Dwarf Mugo Pine, Mountain Pine, and Swiss Mountain Pine.

Pumilio Mugo Pine Care

Give this pine full sun, about 6 or more hours of direct light daily. Plant in well-drained soil; sandy or gravelly loam is ideal with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5–7.0). Water deeply during the first growing season, then water when the top 2–3 inches of soil are dry; established plants are drought tolerant. Avoid soggy sites or heavy clay without drainage improvements. Feed lightly in early spring with a slow-release, balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer formulated for evergreens, or top-dress with compost.
Prune candles in late spring by pinching back one-half to two-thirds to maintain size; avoid cutting into old wood. Hardy in Zones 2–7; container-grown plants may need root protection in colder zones.

Pumilio Mugo Pine Spacing

As a specimen, allow 5–7 feet of width and keep 2–3 feet from walls, pathways, or drive edges for airflow and mature spread. For grouped plantings or low, natural screens, space 4–6 feet on center. In containers, choose a pot 16–24 inches wide with large drainage holes and a gritty mix (potting soil blended with bark and perlite or pumice). Elevate containers on pot feet and position them 2–3 feet from seating or walkways. Stake only in very windy sites during the first season.

Why Grow Pumilio Mugo Pine?

• Manageable dwarf habit that stays compact without constant pruning

• Evergreen needles for true four-season color and structure

• Tough, cold-hardy, and drought tolerant once established

• Perfect for rock gardens, slopes, foundations, and containers

• Generally deer resistant and low maintenance with minimal feeding needs

Bring home a compact evergreen that looks polished year-round and asks for little in return. Pumilio Mugo Pine delivers dependable texture and color in spaces where larger conifers won’t fit.