Tree Picea glauca var. densata [Black Hills Spruce] Widely considered a superior form, this variety is denser and more compact with brighter foliage, when compared to the straight species . Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites.
Tree Picea orientalis [Oriental Spruce] Generally considered a better choice for the landscape than P. abies (Norway Spruce) or P. glauca (White Spruce). Best in cooler climates; does not always tolerate southern heat and humidity well. In order to prevent desiccation and needle browning, protection from harsh winter winds is advisable for plants grown in colder climates.
Tree Picea pungens [Colorado Spruce] One of the most striking of the conifers in color and habit, especially f. glauca. Some drought tolerance. Cost of most glaucous forms is high because they are produced by grafting and then intensively pruned to shape in nursery rows. Must be used with restraint because the strong blue color (especially prominent in f. glauca) does not combine well with other plantings in the landscape. Some susceptibility to Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Adelges cooleyi).
Tree Pinus banksiana [Jack Pine] This pine is quite hardy and can grow on poor soil, however, given its scrubby and somewhat unkempt appearance, it is not generally recommended for ornamental use. Pyramidal when young, becoming flat-topped and spreading with maturity.
Tree Pinus koraiensis [Korean Pine] Often confused with the Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra), the Korean Pine is a slow growing evergreen tree, native to eastern Asia. Pinus koraiensis is noted for its adaptability to many different environments and cold hardy. Its dark green needles have two white stomatal lines which gives the overall color of the needle a blue green. When young, the branching is tight and very pyramidal, which relaxes with age to a more loose pyramidal habit.
Shrub Pinus mugo [Mugo Pine] Seed-propagated plants vary widely in degree of dwarfness, and this is not always apparent in young plants. Pruning annually can help maintain dwarf habit (don't pinch or cut past candles). Can be disfigured by scale insects.
Shrub Pinus mugo 'Aurea' [Golden Dwarf Mugo Pine] 'Aurea' is a semi-dwarf cultivar with bright green needles that turn a bright golden-yellow in the winter. Best coloration in full sun. Pruning annually can help maintain dwarf habit (don't pinch or cut past candles). Can be disfigured by scale insects.
Shrub Pinus mugo 'Valley Cushion' [Dwarf Mugo Pine] 'Valley Cushion' is a very slow-growing (approximately 1.5" a year) dwarf cultivar that is excellent for rock gardens and bonsai. Can be disfigured by scale insects.
Tree Pinus nigra [Austrian Pine] An excellent plant for screening when young. Needs a companion planting eventually for low screening as it loses branches at the base. Tolerates city conditions. Tolerates clay, dry, and alkaline soils, and heat. May be badly damaged by sapsuckers. Sphaeropsis tip blight is a more serious problem. Pine foliar nematode (transmitted by a beetle) can also be problematic.
Shrub Pinus nigra 'Hornibrookiana' [Dwarf Austrian Pine] 'Hornbrookiana' is a compact and mounded dwarf cultivar. Tolerates city conditions. Tolerates clay, dry, and alkaline soils, and heat. May be badly damaged by sapsuckers. Sphaeropsis tip blight is a more serious problem. Pine foliar nematode (transmitted by a beetle) can also be problematic.
