Pinus cembra Compacta Glauca - Arolla Pine

Pinus cembra 'Compacta Glauca' is a dwarf form of Swiss stone pine, with remarkable foliage. It has a conical (or ovoid), narrow and compact habit, and produces short and ascending branches, densely covered with greenish-blue needles that reveal their pale blue to silvery underside. Due to its moderate growth, it is well suited for medium-sized gardens, in the background of borders, as a hedge or as a specimen plant. It is an undemanding, hardy conifer and does not require pruning. It thrives in moist to dry, well-drained, preferably acidic soil, and in a sunny exposure.

Pinus cembra, also known as Swiss stone pine or Arolla pine, is sometimes called arol, arolla, arve, alpenrose, or cembro. It belongs to the Pinaceae family, native to the high mountains of Europe and Central Asia. It can only grow between 1,700 m to 2,400 m (5577 ft to 7874 ft) above sea level, in climates with long and particularly harsh winters. It is a very hardy species, reaching over 20 m (65.6 ft) in height in Europe and 40 m (131.2 ft ) in Asia, with a narrow, conical habit and fastigiate branches.

The 'Glauca Compacta' variety distinguishes itself from the wild species by its reduced size, very compact habit, and magnificent, particularly dense foliage. Its growth is slow, about 8 cm (3.1 in) per year. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 1 m (3.3 ft) in height with a spread of 50 cm (19.7 in) at the base. Eventually, after many long years, it will reach a height of 4 m (13.1 ft). Its short, ascending and tightly packed branches are covered with fine needles, measuring 4 cm to 8 cm (1.6 in to 3.1 in) in length, grouped in fives and arranged in brushes. They are sprinkled with white stomata on all three sides, giving the foliage a greenish-blue colour with blue-silvery reflections on the reverse side.

'Compacta Glauca' will suit a medium-sized garden, as a specimen or in the background of borders. This variety can also be used in mixed or evergreen hedges. It works wonders in a Japanese garden, and goes well with large stones, the geometric lines of pools, and masonry works. It can be planted with complementary grasses or with dwarf conifers with prostrate habit (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), globose habit (Picea abies 'Little Gem'), or columnar habit (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel'). The structural qualities of conifers naturally shine in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting appearance of flowers. These plants have a reassuring permanence that provides lasting structure to a flower bed. They can be used to mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.