Plant pines in a location where they thrive, and you’ll enjoy decades of year-round color.
Pines (Pinusspp.)
These hardworking evergreens are particular about their growing environment.
Select a species native to your region.
A longleaf pine is native to the South and thrives in the heat there.
Check with your local extension service or garden center to learn more about pines native to your area.
Plant your tree in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Pay attention to spacing requirements for your variety if you are planting several for a windbreak.
How and When to Plant Pine
Plant bare-root or container-grown pines in spring.
Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the rootball of the pine.
Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole and amend it with compost.
Backfill the hole with amended soil, pressing down to remove air pockets as you work.
Water thoroughly and spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the plant to prevent soil moisture loss.
Pine Care Tips
Easy-care pines thrive when their basic needs are met.
When planted in a shady area, they struggle.
Soil and Water
Pines needwell-drained, moderately fertile soil.
These conifers prefer acidic soil with apH between 4 and 7, depending on the species.
Some pine species have adapted well to high heat and humidity, while others are better at tolerating cold.
Check with your local garden center for information on pines that grow well in your climate.
Fertilizer
Pines dont require frequent fertilizer.
Sprinkle aslow-release, granular fertilizeraround the base of the pine twice a year, following the product instructions.
Pruning
Although it is seldom needed, the best time for pruning pines is in spring.
However, you canprune at any timeto remove dead or broken branches.
Pests and Problems
Pines are susceptible to several problems.
Blights and rusts are the main diseases affecting pines.
Difficult-to-treatblights and rustsare often fatal over time.
Insect problems include pine weevils, bark beetles,pine sawflies,scale, andaphids.
Many pine diseases and insect problems can be avoided by planting the tree in its preferred growing environment.
How to Propagate Pine
The easiest way to propagate pines is bystem cuttings.
In midsummer, select 6-inch softwood stems and cut just below a leaf bud.
Place the pots in a sheltered place away from direct sunlight, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
You may also see roots at the bottom of the pot.
New Innovations
Plant breeders are continuously introducing new dwarf pines for small landscapes.
These valuable plants often reach a mature size of less than 10 feet tall and wide.
They also tolerate pruning well and can be sheared to a desired shape.
Look for dwarf varieties of pine at your local garden center.
When young, it is pyramid-shaped, and the crown flattens out as it ages.
It is hardier than manyPinusspecies and attracts moths, birds, and butterflies.
It is native to the eastern half of the United States.
It is also known as scrub pine and Jersey pine.
It needs a spacious landscape because it matures at 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide.
This impressive conifer is the state tree of Maine and Michigan.
This slow grower reaches a mature height of 2 to 5 feet tall in about 10 years.
It is typically used in foundation plantings.
Panicle Hydrangea
While many hydrangeas prefer shady areas, paniclehydrangeasthrive in full sun.
They are usually larger than other hydrangeas, and their blooms are cone-shaped rather than round.
Most panicle hydrangeas blooms are white, but as the weather cools, they turn pink.
It mixes shrubs with flowering perennials and a structural tree for a lovely welcome to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conifers are types of trees that produce seeds within cones.
In addition to pines, other conifers include cedar, spruce, cypress, yew, and fir trees.
Pines can live up to 100 years on average under ideal conditions, but this figure varies by species.
