Decorative pine is a way to decorate any space. Today there are many varieties of such plants. For the cultivation of such a crop to be successful, it is important to choose the right variety and provide it with quality care. It should include timely watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Protection from diseases and pests is also of great importance.
Description of the tree
Many people believe that ornamental pines are a separate species of conifers. However, in fact, it is permissible to use a variety of crops to decorate a garden.The following types are used for this:
- Dwarf - such shrubs grow 9-15 centimeters in 1 year. These plants are great for growing in a small space or container.
- Mini-dwarf - these plants grow by only 7-9 centimeters per year. They can be grown at home.
- Microdwarf - characterized by slow growth and increase by 2-3 centimeters per year. Designers use such crops to create bonsai.
Dwarf pines can be safely grown under artificial lighting conditions. Such crops are considered undemanding to care. They can be safely placed on the terrace or balcony.
Main varieties
When choosing ornamental pines, it is recommended to give preference to bush varieties or plants with a compact crown. It is permissible to plant several varieties in open ground:
- Benjamin - increases by 5 centimeters per year. The maximum size of adult crops does not exceed 70 centimeters. In this case, the crown in diameter does not exceed 1 meter. The plant has shortened branches that extend abundantly from the trunk. They are covered with thick needles. The decorative properties of the crop are due to the fact that the young buds of the tree resemble tall candles.
- Jezek - the tree has a compact crown and does not exceed 40 centimeters in height. In 1 year, the plant increases by 1 centimeter. The compact tree fits perfectly into group plantings. It looks good in rock gardens.
- Gnome - this variety is distinguished by a spherical crown, which reaches 2 meters in diameter. The plant is characterized by numerous shoots and long resinous buds. The culture has densely compressed needles of a dark green color, which are characterized by radial development. The plant is considered very unpretentious. It can be grown in the city.In 1 year, the crop increases by 15 centimeters.
- Fastigiata - the variety is distinguished by a columnar crown and gray-gray color of needles. Another important feature of the plant is the shoots tightly pressed to the trunk.
- Globoza viridis - distinguished by a spherical crown. The height of the crop reaches 1.5 meters.
- Pendula - this plant is a weeping conifer, which is characterized by slow growth and looks very attractive.
- Narcissus is a dwarf variety of Siberian pine. It is characterized by light green needles, which have a velvety structure. The tree is characterized by slow development and a spherical crown. The part located above the ground is tightly packed. The tree is covered with small cones that do not have time to ripen.
- Ideal - this variety is often used for landscaping. It is distinguished by long needles and small cones.
- Highlander - the plant has an ovoid crown and medium-length green needles. The culture is characterized by small cones. This pine is often used to produce bonsai style trees.
- Kobold - This plant has yellow-brown cones that are ovoid in shape. This type of pine is characterized by thin and spreading branches. The tree is considered undemanding to the composition of the soil and is highly resistant to frost.
To design a summer cottage, it is permissible to grow dwarf species of black or small-flowered pines. Among the most popular varieties, it is worth highlighting such plants as Blue Angel, Negishi, Glauka.
How to plant a tree
In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, it is important to choose the right place for planting. It should be well lit. As for the soil, loam or sandy loam soil would be a suitable option.In other types of land, it is necessary to provide high-quality drainage. As for acidity parameters, you should give preference to a neutral or slightly alkaline substrate. To reduce acidity, it is recommended to add lime to the composition.
What varieties are suitable for the pot?
Not all types of pine trees can be used for growing in a pot. The awned variety is perfect for this purpose. The tree is characterized by its compact size and raised branches. You can safely form a bonsai from it. The advantage of culture is slow development.
You can also grow white pine in a pot. An excellent option would be the Blue Shag variety, which has an unusual spherical crown. The tree is characterized by bluish-green needles. In this case, the trunk reaches a height of 1.3 meters. An equally popular plant is the Makopin variety, which has decorative coffee cones.
When growing mountain pine in a pot, you should give preference to the Pug variety. Over 10 years, the plant grows by 50 centimeters. Another suitable option would be the Dwarf. This culture reaches a height of 1 meter. The plant has a compact crown, which has a spherical shape.
You can also plant Bosnian pine. Its characteristic feature is considered to be a lush white crown, which is distinguished by a ball shape and a high degree of density. Over the course of a year, the crop grows by approximately 5 centimeters.
The nuances of planting in a pot
A tree purchased from a nursery must be planted correctly.If you plan to plant the plant in a pot, it is recommended to give preference to a container of suitable size. Its diameter should be 10-15 centimeters. It is best to use a plastic or ceramic pot that has drainage holes in the bottom.
After this, the tree needs to be pulled out of the container, cleaned of soil and old roots removed. It is recommended to treat the sections with crushed activated carbon. The seedling should be placed in a container with prepared substrate and sprinkled with soil. After which the tree needs to be placed in a shaded place for 2 weeks. At this time, the pine tree needs high-quality watering and sprinkling of the crown.
Features of care
In order for decorative pine to develop normally, it needs to be provided with high-quality care. Immediately after planting, the crop should be shaded so that it is not exposed to the scorching sun. It is necessary to moisten the soil daily. Spraying the needles with clean water is of no small importance. In autumn, it is recommended to reduce the amount of watering. It is worth moistening the soil only when it dries out.
Plants need to be fed during spring and summer. This procedure is carried out every month. It is best to give preference to ready-made substrates for conifers.
Application
Decorative pines are widely used in landscape design.Crops in pots are used for interior decoration.
In landscape design
Such plants fit well into landscape design. Trees with a compact pyramidal crown can be used to decorate entrance areas. Plants that have a spherical crown are used to decorate patios. They often complement rocky gardens with rockeries. Cushion-shaped and creeping varieties are used to decorate local areas. Dwarf varieties complement the design of flower beds well.
Weeping varieties of conifers are considered very popular. They are placed near artificial ponds or fountains. Dwarf pines, which have a cylindrical crown, are perfect for creating decorative alleys and spectacular hedges.
Decorative conifers fit perfectly into a variety of group compositions. They allow you to realize your wildest design fantasies. Single pines are suitable for decorating flower beds with lawn grass.
Interior
Dwarf varieties cope well with the influence of negative factors. However, you still need to choose the right place to place the pot. The plant in a container is best placed on a balcony or on a windowsill that faces east or northeast.
In winter, conifers need special conditions. They should be kept in a room with a temperature of +6-12 degrees. When a clod of soil freezes, there is a high probability of seedling death. This is important to consider when placing pine on an unheated balcony.
Decorative pines are used to decorate summer cottages and interiors. It is important to choose the right variety and provide the plant with complete and high-quality care.
