Pinus sylvestris Chantry Blue - Scots Pine

Pinus sylvestris 'Chantry Blue' is a compact form of the Scots Pine, which combines a natural irregular habit with a distinctly blue foliage. Its slow growth and reduced size make it suitable for any garden, even small ones. Ideal for rockeries or borders, it can also be grown in containers on a terrace. This easy-going variety is exceptionally hardy, growing in most well-drained soils and showing resistance to drought once established. This small conifer thrives in full sun or partial shade. 

Pinus sylvestris, commonly known as the Scots Pine, is a coniferous tree belonging to the Pinaceae family and widely distributed throughout northern Europe and Asia Minor. It is a light-demanding species adapted to drought and extreme cold, tolerating poor soils. This tree can reach heights of 30m (98ft) or more in its natural habitat and typically has a rounded crown on a trunk with reddish-brown or vermilion bark. However, its habit can vary depending on its environment.
'Chantry Blue' is a  witch's broom Scots Pine discovered in 1972 in County Surrey (south of London), within a preserved site of over 350 ha called Horsell Common. Witch's brooms are mutations or diseases caused by fungi or bacteria, resulting in abnormally dense branching. They can be encountered quite frequently in nature or even in urban plantations. Several of them have been selected by nurserymen for their ornamental value and have given rise to new horticultural varieties.

Discovered by a certain B. Reynolds, the witch's broom 'Chantry Blue' was introduced to the market by Don Hatch of Chantry Nurseries in Devon (southwest England).
Growing slowly, this pine will reach a height of 1.50m (5ft) to 1.80m (6ft) after 10 years of cultivation with a width of 1m (3ft) to 1.50m (5ft). Its habit is generally irregular and bushy, becoming more globular in its juvenile phase. It forms numerous branches of different sizes, adorned with pleasantly peeling reddish-brown bark. The needles, inserted in pairs and quite dense, give it a slightly tousled and highly ornamental appearance. Measuring up to 6-8cm (2-3in) in length, the slightly undulate needles have a beautiful blue colour, albeit with varying intensity throughout the seasons. It is these needles that give this conifer its decorative value, as the cones are relatively inconspicuous, both in size (about 5cm (2in)) and colour (grey to reddish-brown).
Extremely hardy (-40°C), this Scots Pine can be planted even at high altitudes. It tolerates most soils, from acidic to moderately limey, even poor or sandy soils, provided they are well-drained.

Pinus sylvestris 'Chantry Blue' is an excellent choice for small gardens, where it can be planted in borders, rockeries, or even in containers to embellish a terrace. It can be paired with other colourful foliage plants to create striking contrasts. Picea glauca 'Daisy's White', or White Spruce, produces young shoots that are white to pale yellow in spring, creating a beautiful contrast with the blue of the Scots Pine. Among deciduous plants, Cotinus coggygria 'Lilla', a dwarf smokebush with purple foliage, will also make a perfect companion. Its airy flowering and magnificent autumn colours will bring dynamism to your border. Another showy shrub, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Magic Ball', captivates with its ever-changing foliage colours, starting with orange hues, turning to golden yellow in summer, and finally to red in autumn. Its pale pink flowers in June will further enhance the scene you have created.