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Pinus mugo Carstens Wintergold - Dwarf Mountain Pine

Pinus mugo Carstens Wintergold
Dwarf Mountain Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine, Mugo Pine

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I received my pine yesterday, very beautiful young plant! 5 out of 5! Thank you.

Miguel Isidoro, 19/08/2025

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
A compact and very rounded form of the mountain pine, whose foliage is particularly golden in winter and slowly forms a shrubby clump of 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in all directions. Due to its moderate development and slow growth, it is well suited to a small garden. It is an extremely hardy and undemanding conifer; it thrives in well-drained but moist soil, and in a sunny position. 
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
3.50 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Description

The Pinus mugo Carsten's Wintergold is a very beautiful compact form of mountain pine, which stands out for its particularly bright golden foliage in winter. Its needles are light green with yellow tips throughout the year. Due to its moderate growth and slow growth, it is well suited for small spaces. Extremely graphic, it is also an extremely hardy conifer, not requiring pruning. It thrives in well-drained but moist soil and a sunny exposure. One of the most spectacular golden conifers.

The Pinus mugo, also known as Mountain Pine or Pine of the Mountains, is an evergreen conifer of the Pinaceae family, endemic to the mountains of Europe. It can be found in the subalpine zone, avoiding summer heat, from the Spanish sierras, through the high Alpine and Pyrenean massifs, to the Balkans. It only descends to an altitude of 200 m (656 ft 2 in) in Central Europe. In nature, it slowly reaches a size of 3 to 4 m (9 ft 10 in to 13 ft 1 in) in all directions, adopting a wind-swept silhouette that reflects its habitat. It is a very cold-resistant species, perfectly adapted to the mountain climate.

The 'Carsten's Wintergold' variety has slow growth, around 15 cm (5.9 in) per year, and forms a dense and very rounded shrubby clump. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in all directions. Eventually, it will reach a height of 3 m (9 ft 10 in) and a spread of 4 m (13 ft 1 in). This pine develops into a flattened sphere, taking on a broad cushion-like habit as it ages. Its branches are tightly packed and its brown twigs are erect. They are covered with fine needles, 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 in) long, arranged in pairs and grouped in brushes. The young shoots emerge in spring from light brown and resinous buds. The needles, green with yellow tips, turn golden yellow from October onwards, sometimes taking on a bronze hue in winter. The trunk has a brown-grey bark, while the twigs show a shiny green, then black, colour.

The Carsten's Wintergold Mountain Pine will find its place in a small garden, either as a standalone or in a large rockery. It works wonders in a Japanese garden and pairs well with large stones, geometric lines of pools, and masonry works. It can be associated with complementary grasses or with dwarf conifers with a creeping habit (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip), globose habit (Picea abies Little Gem), or columnar habit (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel'). The graphic qualities of conifers naturally dominate in a contemporary garden that prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally define a flowerbed, mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. It's all about playing with volumes and colours.

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Pines: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Eva 14 min.
Pines: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Pinus mugo Carstens Wintergold - Dwarf Mountain Pine in pictures

Pinus mugo Carstens Wintergold - Dwarf Mountain Pine (Foliage) Foliage
Pinus mugo Carstens Wintergold - Dwarf Mountain Pine (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 3.50 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour golden

Botanical data

Genus

Pinus

Species

mugo

Cultivar

Carstens Wintergold

Family

Pinaceae

Other common names

Dwarf Mountain Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine, Mugo Pine

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1007872

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Planting and care

The Pinus mugo 'Carsten's Wintergold' is planted from September to November and from February to June in well-drained, moist, even poor soil, whether it is calcareous or, on the contrary, peaty and acidic. It only fears dry soils in summer and scorching temperatures. Choose a sunny spot or, at worst, semi-shaded. Soak the root balls well before planting. Optionally, add organic amendment at planting and water generously in the first years, and in case of prolonged drought. You can apply a special conifer fertilizer every year in April and cultivate the soil in summer. This very hardy conifer (down to -30°C (-22 °F) at least) does not need to be pruned.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained, moist

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

  1. Pine processionary caterpillar: dangers and control methods Tips
  2. How to make pine-needle tisane

1. Choose needles
- Use needles from edible pine species such as Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus or Pinus mugo.  
- Do not use yew (Taxus) or any tree you cannot identify. Avoid trees treated with pesticides or growing beside busy roads.

2. Harvesting and preparation
- Pick fresh, young needles (new growth in spring has best flavour).  
- Rinse needles under cold water to remove dust and insects.  
- Remove any brown or damaged needles and woody parts.  
- Chop or bruise needles lightly to release oils.

3. Quantities
- Use about 1 tablespoon (3–5 g) chopped needles per 250 ml water for a mild infusion. Use 2–3 tablespoons for stronger flavour.

4. Brewing
- Bring water to the boil.  
- Pour boiling water over needles in a teapot or cup, cover and steep 5–10 minutes (shorter steep preserves more vitamin C and fresher aroma). For a stronger, more resinous drink you can simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, but avoid prolonged boiling.

5. Serve
- Strain into cup. Add honey, lemon or a sprig of mint to taste. Pine-needle tisane has a fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy flavour.

6. Storage
- Best consumed fresh. Keep refrigerated and use within 24–48 hours if necessary.

7. Safety and cautions
- If unsure of species, do not consume.  
- Limit intake and avoid regular large doses. Pine-needle tisane is traditionally used occasionally rather than daily.  
- Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding and if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or take prescription medication without consulting a healthcare professional.  
- Stop use and seek advice if allergic reaction or digestive upset occurs.

Enjoy pine-needle tisane in moderation and always ensure correct identification of tree before harvesting. Tips

    How to make pine-needle tisane 1. Choose needles - Use needles from edible pine species such as Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus or Pinus mugo. - Do not use yew (Taxus) or any tree you cannot identify. Avoid trees treated with pesticides or growing beside busy roads. 2. Harvesting and preparation - Pick fresh, young needles (new growth in spring has best flavour). - Rinse needles under cold water to remove dust and insects. - Remove any brown or damaged needles and woody parts. - Chop or bruise needles lightly to release oils. 3. Quantities - Use about 1 tablespoon (3–5 g) chopped needles per 250 ml water for a mild infusion. Use 2–3 tablespoons for stronger flavour. 4. Brewing - Bring water to the boil. - Pour boiling water over needles in a teapot or cup, cover and steep 5–10 minutes (shorter steep preserves more vitamin C and fresher aroma). For a stronger, more resinous drink you can simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, but avoid prolonged boiling. 5. Serve - Strain into cup. Add honey, lemon or a sprig of mint to taste. Pine-needle tisane has a fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy flavour. 6. Storage - Best consumed fresh. Keep refrigerated and use within 24–48 hours if necessary. 7. Safety and cautions - If unsure of species, do not consume. - Limit intake and avoid regular large doses. Pine-needle tisane is traditionally used occasionally rather than daily. - Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding and if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or take prescription medication without consulting a healthcare professional. - Stop use and seek advice if allergic reaction or digestive upset occurs. Enjoy pine-needle tisane in moderation and always ensure correct identification of tree before harvesting.

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