Pinus mugo Humpy - Dwarf Mountain Pine

Pinus mugo 'Humpy' is a dwarf form of mountain pine with very slow growth. Over time, it forms a compact spreading ball up to 2m (7ft) in diameter, with dense branches covered in short, slightly prickly needles, of a lovely fir green colour. Unique, vibrant, and highly ornamental, it will find its place in borders, as a specimen plant, in rockeries, and will adapt well to container cultivation. This variety is particularly suitable for the art of bonsai. It is a very hardy conifer, not demanding, and does not require pruning. It is content with ordinary, not too dry soil, and a sunny position.

Pinus mugo, also known as the mountain pine, is an evergreen conifer in the family Pinaceae endemic to European mountains. It is found at the subalpine level, avoiding summer heat, from the Spanish sierras, through the high alpine and Pyrenean massifs, to the Balkans. It descends to an altitude of only 200m (656ft) in Central Europe. In the wild, it slowly reaches 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) in all directions, adopting a windswept silhouette that reflects its exposed habitat. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to mountain climates.

The 'Humpy' variety differs from the wild species in its smaller size, very compact rounded habit, and short and flexible needles. Its growth is very slow, about 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) per year. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 50cm (20in) in all directions. Eventually, it will form a bush 1m (3ft) tall and 2m (7ft) wide. Its rigid and short branches are covered in fine needles, 3 to 6cm (1 to 2in) long, arranged in pairs and forming brushes. The young shoots, highly decorative with their light red to pink colour, emerge in spring from light brown and resinous buds. The trunk has a grey-brown bark, while the branches show a shiny green colour, turning black.