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Pinus mugo Ophir - Dwarf Mountain Pine

Pinus mugo Ophir
Dwarf Mountain Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine, Mugo Pine

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Received a beautiful little bush; the colour is a lovely gradient from green to yellow. The young plant seems sturdy.

Aurélie B., 03/04/2018

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This hardy dwarf conifer slowly forms a compact ball of bright light green that turns golden yellow during the winter. Bright and highly ornamental, in a border or rockery, it adapts well to container cultivation, a variety particularly suitable for the art of bonsai. Extremely hardy, it thrives in ordinary soil and a sunny exposure.
Height at maturity
1 m
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time February to March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to June, September to November
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Description

Pinus mugo 'Ophir' is a dwarf form of mountain pine, and certainly the variety with the slowest growth. Over time, it forms a compact ball, with dense branches covered in short needles, witha bright light green colour that turns yellow-gold or sometimes orange during winter, especially when exposed to the sun. Original, bright, and very ornamental, it will find its place in a flowerbed, as a solitary plant, in a rock garden, and will adapt well to pot culture. This variety is also well suited for the art of bonsai. It is a very hardy conifer, not demanding, and does not require pruning. It is content with ordinary soil that is not too dry, and a well-sunny exposure.

Pinus mugo, also known as mountain pine, is an evergreen conifer in the pine family endemic to European mountains. It can be found at the subalpine level, avoiding summer heat, from the Spanish sierras, through the high Alpine and Pyrenean ranges, 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 windy habitat. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to the mountain climate.

The 'Ophir' variety is distinguished from the wild species by its small size, its very compact bushy habit, and its magnificent foliage, golden in winter. Its growth is very slow, about 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) per year. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 50cm (20in) in all directions. Eventually, it will form a bush about 1m (3ft) in all directions. Its rigid and short branches are covered with fine needles, 3 to 6cm (1 to 2in) long, grouped in pairs and arranged in brushes. The young shoots, very decorative with their light red to pink colour, emerge in spring from light brown and resinous buds. On its trunk, the bark is brown-grey, while it shows a green and shiny colour, then black, on the branches.

The 'Ophir' mountain pine will find its place in all gardens, even the smallest ones, planted as a solitary plant, in a flowerbed or rock garden. It can also be used in a large pot on the terrace or balcony, treated as a bonsai or left in free form. It works wonders in a Japanese garden, and goes well with large stones, the geometric lines of pools, and masonry works. It can be associated with complementary grasses or prostrate (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), globose (Picea abies 'Little Gem'), or columnar (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel') dwarf conifers. The true 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 flowers. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally define flowerbeds, mark pathways, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

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Pines: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Eva 14 min.
Pines: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Pinus mugo Ophir - Dwarf Mountain Pine in pictures

Pinus mugo Ophir - Dwarf Mountain Pine (Foliage) Foliage
Pinus mugo Ophir - Dwarf Mountain Pine (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate very slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour golden
Foliage description Evergreen, turning golden in winter.

Botanical data

Genus

Pinus

Species

mugo

Cultivar

Ophir

Family

Pinaceae

Other common names

Dwarf Mountain Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine, Mugo Pine

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference7310021

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Planting and care

Pinus mugo 'Ophir' can be planted from September to November and from February to June in well-drained, moist soil, even poor soil, whether slightly chalky or, on the contrary, peaty and acidic. It only fears excessively dry soils in summer and scorching temperatures. Choose a sunny location or, at most, partially shaded in hot climates. Soak the root balls well before planting. Optionally, add organic amendment at planting and water generously in the first years, and in case of prolonged drought. You can apply a special conifer fertilizer every year in April and weed the soil in summer. This very hardy conifer (down to at least -30°C (1°F)) does not need pruning. However, you can enhance its compact habit or keep it in very small proportions by annually pruning the branches by half of their size, from September to November.

Planting period

Best planting time February to March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to June, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Back of border, Free-standing, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, deep

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

  1. Pine processionary caterpillar: dangers and control methods Tips
  2. How to make pine-needle tisane

1. Choose needles
- Use needles from edible pine species such as Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus or Pinus mugo.  
- Do not use yew (Taxus) or any tree you cannot identify. Avoid trees treated with pesticides or growing beside busy roads.

2. Harvesting and preparation
- Pick fresh, young needles (new growth in spring has best flavour).  
- Rinse needles under cold water to remove dust and insects.  
- Remove any brown or damaged needles and woody parts.  
- Chop or bruise needles lightly to release oils.

3. Quantities
- Use about 1 tablespoon (3–5 g) chopped needles per 250 ml water for a mild infusion. Use 2–3 tablespoons for stronger flavour.

4. Brewing
- Bring water to the boil.  
- Pour boiling water over needles in a teapot or cup, cover and steep 5–10 minutes (shorter steep preserves more vitamin C and fresher aroma). For a stronger, more resinous drink you can simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, but avoid prolonged boiling.

5. Serve
- Strain into cup. Add honey, lemon or a sprig of mint to taste. Pine-needle tisane has a fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy flavour.

6. Storage
- Best consumed fresh. Keep refrigerated and use within 24–48 hours if necessary.

7. Safety and cautions
- If unsure of species, do not consume.  
- Limit intake and avoid regular large doses. Pine-needle tisane is traditionally used occasionally rather than daily.  
- Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding and if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or take prescription medication without consulting a healthcare professional.  
- Stop use and seek advice if allergic reaction or digestive upset occurs.

Enjoy pine-needle tisane in moderation and always ensure correct identification of tree before harvesting. Tips

    How to make pine-needle tisane 1. Choose needles - Use needles from edible pine species such as Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus or Pinus mugo. - Do not use yew (Taxus) or any tree you cannot identify. Avoid trees treated with pesticides or growing beside busy roads. 2. Harvesting and preparation - Pick fresh, young needles (new growth in spring has best flavour). - Rinse needles under cold water to remove dust and insects. - Remove any brown or damaged needles and woody parts. - Chop or bruise needles lightly to release oils. 3. Quantities - Use about 1 tablespoon (3–5 g) chopped needles per 250 ml water for a mild infusion. Use 2–3 tablespoons for stronger flavour. 4. Brewing - Bring water to the boil. - Pour boiling water over needles in a teapot or cup, cover and steep 5–10 minutes (shorter steep preserves more vitamin C and fresher aroma). For a stronger, more resinous drink you can simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, but avoid prolonged boiling. 5. Serve - Strain into cup. Add honey, lemon or a sprig of mint to taste. Pine-needle tisane has a fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy flavour. 6. Storage - Best consumed fresh. Keep refrigerated and use within 24–48 hours if necessary. 7. Safety and cautions - If unsure of species, do not consume. - Limit intake and avoid regular large doses. Pine-needle tisane is traditionally used occasionally rather than daily. - Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding and if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or take prescription medication without consulting a healthcare professional. - Stop use and seek advice if allergic reaction or digestive upset occurs. Enjoy pine-needle tisane in moderation and always ensure correct identification of tree before harvesting.

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