Pinus mugo Lilliput - Dwarf Mountain Pine

Pinus mugo 'Lilliput' forms a small prostrate hemispherical bush, it is a low-maintenance miniature mountain pine that fits anywhere in the garden or on the terrace. Its small branches, resembling brushes, are densely covered with short, dark green needles. Due to its excessively reduced growth and very slow growth, it is perfectly suited for a small garden, will liven up the rockery or make a statement in a pot on the terrace. It is an extremely hardy conifer that does not require pruning. It is content with any well-drained but moist soil, and a sunny exposure. This variety dislikes excessively hot and dry climates.

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

The 'Lilliput' variety, as its name suggests, is distinguished from the wild species by its very small size, and by its almost prostrate hemispherical habit. Its growth is slow, and decreases even more on individuals over 15 years old, so that in the long run, it will not exceed 1m (3ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in spread at the base. Its branches are covered with dark green, short and slender needles, 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) long, grouped in pairs and arranged in brushes. The young shoots emerge in spring from light brown and resinous buds. On its trunk, the bark is brownish-grey, while it shows a green and shiny, then black, colour on the branches.

The dwarf mountain pine 'Lilliput' will find its place in a small garden, isolated, in a bed or rockery. It can also be used in a large pot on the terrace or balcony. It works wonders in a Japanese garden, and goes well with large rocks, geometric lines of pools, and masonry works. It can be associated with complementary grasses or with dwarf conifers with a prostrate habit (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), globose (Picea abies 'Little Gem'), or columnar (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel'). The real graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures to the dance of flowering. These plants with their reassuring permanence structurally define a bed, mark the pathways, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.