Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata Kladská - Dwarf Mountain Pine

Pinus uncinata 'Kladskà' is a small mountain pine, with a very compact habit that forms over time a round and dense bush, with asymmetrical growth. Ascending and very close, its branches are covered with quite short and thick, light green needles. Due to its reduced development and very slow growth, it is well suited for a small garden, will animate a rock garden or make an impact in a container on the terrace. It is an extremely hardy conifer, truly undemanding, which does not require pruning. It is content with ordinary soil and a sunny exposure.

Pinus uncinata, considered by some botanists as a subspecies of Pinus mugo, is also known as Mountain pine or Hooked pine. In France, it is called Briançon pine. It owes its name to its asymmetrical cones, with scales curved into hooks. It is an evergreen conifer of the pine family endemic to the mountains of Europe. In nature, it reaches a height of 20 metres (66 feet), adopting an asymmetrical silhouette that reflects its often harsh habitat. It is a perfectly hardy and adaptable species, capable of living for more than 1500 years, and tolerant of a wide variety of soils. Commonly planted to regenerate arid lands, this species has given rise to highly appreciated varieties in the art of bonsai. 

The 'Kladskà' variety stands out from the wild species by its very small size, its very compact habit, initially spherical then bushy and asymmetrical, and its short and thick needles. Its growth is slow, so that a 25-year-old plant will not exceed 80cm (32in) in height for 1m (3ft) in width. Over time, this shrub widens, eventually forming a rounded pine, wider than it is tall. Its small, tightly packed branches are covered with thick needles, about 5cm (2in) in length, grouped in pairs and arranged in brushes all around the branches. The young shoots emerge in spring from light brown and resinous buds. On its trunk, the bark is dark grey-black, while it shows a green and shiny hue on the branches.

The dwarf Mountain pine 'Kladskà' will find its place in all gardens, from north to south, even in the smallest ones. It can be planted individually, in beds or rock gardens. It can also be used in a large pot on the terrace or balcony, and cultivated as bonsai. It works wonders in a Japanese garden and blends well with large stones, geometric lines of pools, and masonry structures. It can be associated with complementary grasses, sacred bamboos, or 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 shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of flowering plants. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally shape a flower bed, mark pathways, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.