Pinus wallichiana - Bhutan Pine

Pinus wallichiana formerly known as Pinus griffithii or Pinus excelsa has a majestic weeping silhouette and very soft grey green to glaucous blue needles. Fast-growing and of medium stature, it quickly forms a splendid subject of 3 to 4 m (10 to 13ft) in 10 years with a relatively dense conical shape. Over time, its lower branches stretch horizontally, offering a wide, light and transparent silhouette. It is also appreciated for the beauty of its grey-blue foliage, sometimes more light green, with fine pendulous needles which hang under their own weight.  These are of exceptional length reaching 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in), giving the branches a very romantic appearance. This species produces long pendant arched resinous cones the size of a banana which are very decorative due to their shape and glaucous frosted colour before turning caramel. This conifer deserves a prime location in the garden, as a specimen. It is undemanding and low maintenance, preferring sun and well-drained moist soil.  It is also very resistant to the cold to -28°C (1°F) and pollution.

Pinus wallichiana, also known as Himalayan weeping pine, is one of the rare pines with needles grouped in fives on short shoots - usually pines have two needles - just like the Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and the Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora). This conifer is a plant of the Pinaceae family native to forests in the Himalayan arc from Afghanistan to Myanmar. It generally grows from valleys up to 2700 m (8858ft) in altitude, alone or mixed with other conifers such as the Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) or the Eastern Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis). In its natural environment with moist and deep soil, this species can reach a height of 45 to 50 m (148 to 164ft) with a rounded top and low branches bending down to the ground. The tree has smooth grey bark that becomes scaly and dark brown, while the sturdy branches are olive green. The cylindrical buds are conical. Its leaves are among the longest of all pines, measuring between 10 and 20 cm (4 and 8in) in length, which makes them completely pendulous along the branch, unlike the upright leaves of Pinus strobus. Their colour varies from grey-green to glaucous blue. The very elongated cones, 10-30 cm (4-12in) long, often appear grouped on the branch. Their greenish-white colour evolves to light brown at maturity, while the scales spread apart to release the seeds. They are sticky due to the resin in them.

The sparse crown and flexible needles swaying in the wind form a transparent curtain and a light shade that is appreciated in rainy regions. The Himalayan weeping pine has the advantage of being highly resistant to urban pollution, being hardy and maintaining a modest size in cultivation, typically around 20-25 m (66-82ft) at maturity. However, it does not tolerate limestone or drought and heat well. 

The Himalayan weeping pine can be seen in parks as well as medium-sized gardens in sufficiently wet regions.  It can be planted as a specimen or in a group. It also works well in a Japanese garden, and compliments large stones, geometric lines of pools of water, and architectural structures.  It can be associated with grasses or with a variety of dwarf conifers such as the prostrate conifer (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip), the rounded conifer (Picea abies Little Gem), or the columnar conifer (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel').  The distinctive shape of conifers allow them to work well in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over a mix of many flowers. These plants can structurally define a bed, mark pathways, border terraces and easily replace the trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.