Pinus parviflora Fukai - Japanese White Pine

Pinus parviflora 'Fukai' is a dwarf form of the Japanese White Pine, with slow growth and a dense, compact habit that remains naturally uniform throughout its long life. Stunning in winter, it bears golden needles and in spring, gives way to highly coloured young shoots, blue-green with golden rings. These splendid colours are more pronounced when grown in full sun. Like all Japanese pines, it tolerates pruning well, allowing for the creation of a living sculpture over time. It is an ideal variety for large rockeries or to majestically structure a bed. Undemanding and very frugal, this small conifer prefers sunlight and well-drained soils.

Pinus parviflora, also known as the Japanese White Pine or Five-Needle Pine, is a plant from the Pinaceae family native to forests located at altitudes between 1300 and 1800m (4265 and 5905ft) in the Japanese islands. In its natural environment, this species can reach over 20m (66ft) in height and has a pyramidal habit, often as wide as it is tall, with a dense conical crown. Appreciated for its wood in Japan, this elegant species has given rise to very beautiful forms, often cultivated as bonsai.

Still relatively uncommon in Europe, the 'Fukai' variety, derived from this species, stands out for its small size and its very bright foliage in winter and spring. Its overall habit is rounded and bushy. Its dense growth is supported by a compact and branched framework, composed of foliage with changing and contrasting colours, very bright in winter and spring. Its growth is rather slow, around 11cm (4in) per year. At the age of 10, it will not exceed 1m (3ft) in all directions and will eventually form a large bush 2.40m (8ft) tall and 1.80m (6ft) wide. Its slightly twisted branches, covered with a dark brown bark, bear medium-sized needles that measure 4 to 6cm (2in) long. They are somewhat spiralled, grouped in fives and arranged in dense tufts, arranged in a helix. The bark of this small tree exfoliates in scaly plates over time.

The Japanese White Pine 'Fukai' will find its place in all gardens, from north to south (in not too hot an exposure), as its Japanese origins do not prevent it from thriving in very different climates. In small spaces, this remarkably coloured small tree will stand out when planted alone and will also bring a touch of brilliance to a large rockery or a sunny bed. It pairs well with large stones and the geometric lines of pools and masonry works. It can be associated with complementary grasses or sacred bamboos, in a very 'zen' spirit. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in a contemporary garden, which prefers the use of shapes, silhouettes and textures over the dance of flowers. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, durably structure a bed, mark pathways, border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.