Pinus strobus Tiny Kurls - Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus 'Tiny Kurls' is a dwarf form of the Weymouth pine, which owes much of its success to the delicacy of its large, bluish needles, thin and soft to the touch. Its bushy and flexible habit is initially rounded in the early years of its life, before taking on a conical shape later on. Its dense and sometimes irregular growth always gives it a compact appearance. Its slow growth and small size allow it to thrive in all gardens, even the smallest ones, from large slopes to rockeries, but also in flower beds or large pots on the terrace. It is a very hardy variety, not too demanding in terms of well-drained soil, and resistant to drought once established. It thrives in full sun as well as in partial shade.

Pinus strobus, also known as Eastern White Pine, Weymouth Pine or Lord's Pine, is a conifer belonging to the Pinaceae family, native to the eastern part of North America, up to Newfoundland Island in Canada. Its majesty has made it the official emblem tree of the state of Ontario. This forest king is indeed a monumental tree, a gigantic pyramidal Christmas tree reaching 90m (295ft) in height in its natural environment, but currently not exceeding 45m (148ft) in height due to the destruction of its habitat and extensive exploitation. It is a very hardy species, often planted for reforestation in forests, or as an ornamental tree in large parks. The bark of this bush is smooth, greenish-grey on young specimens, becoming greyish-brown and fissured over time. The lower part of the tree, when mature, shows a whitened bark, hence the vernacular name 'white pine'.

The 'Tiny Kurls' variety, or 'Tiny Curls' is characterized by its small size, its rounded and then more erect bushy habit, gradually taking on a conical shape over the years. Its growth is slow, so that at maturity, it does not exceed 2m (7ft) to 2.50m (8ft) in height with a spread of 1m (3ft) to 1.50m (5ft). Its branches are densely covered with shiny, thin, soft and flexible needles, measuring 7 to 12cm (3 to 5in) in length. They are grouped in fives and arranged in tufts, radially around the branches. Their lower surface has two bands of stomata (plant respiratory cells) that give them bluish to silvery reflections. An evergreen bush, it is decorative all year round with its graphic habit and the fluffy green-blue mass it eventually forms over time.

 The 'Tiny Kurls' Weymouth Pine is a particularly attractive variety, but also a conifer with excellent health. It will find its place in all gardens, even the smallest ones, as it is undemanding and adapts to various soils, except for very chalky soils, as well as to many climates. In small spaces, it will stand out when planted alone, and will elegantly animate a rockery or flower bed. Planted in a large pot, it will be a magnificent focal point that will enhance a balcony or terrace.

It will go very well with other small-sized conifers with colourful foliage such as the fabulous Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa' with its young foliage of unreal blue, turning silvery afterwards, or Platycladus orientalis 'Aurea Nana', a golden Oriental Thuja with a very structured habit that contrasts both in colour and foliage appearance. The astonishing Abies koreana 'Kohout's Icebreaker'® with even more curly and short foliage than our miniature Pine, will also be a very good companion.