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Pine trees are very unpretentious and responsive trees. In addition, among them there is such a variety of species and varieties that any of the most intricate fantasies can be easily realized. Ornamental pine can come in almost any shape and size. And if you add to this a variety of colors of needles, then the choice will seem simply inexhaustible.
Decorative pine in landscape design
Many people are used to imagining a pine tree as a giant rushing upward with a head of fluffy needles at the very top of the trunk. But pines are so different that sometimes it's even hard to imagine.
Small pyramids in the form of Christmas trees can be used to decorate the entrance gate. Trees or shrubs with a globular crown will decorate patios or rocky gardens. There are very undersized varieties in the form of pillows or creeping shrubs, they will look great in rockeries and large flower beds.
Pine trees in the shape of weeping willows can decorate the shores of reservoirs, and from the slender rows of cylindrical trees, you can create a real hedge.
From trees of various shapes with multi-colored needles, you can create a whole decorative group that can decorate the garden no worse than perennial flowering shrubs. And even better, since it will retain its decorative effect throughout the year.
Finally, pine trees are also perfect as a tapeworm, towering over a lawn or flower bed.
Decorative varieties of pines
The most famous and familiar to the eye is the Scots pine. But even in this species, there are many decorative varieties that are completely different from their original variety.
- Fastagiata - the tree looks like a column, due to the branches closely pressed to the trunk.
- Globoza Viridas- does not exceed 1.5 m in height, while it has an almost spherical crown shape.
- Pendula - grows very slowly, and the weeping crown shape looks very interesting and unusual.
- Gold Queen Is a slow-growing variety with a golden shade of needles.
There are many more ornamental pine species, and many of them may well withstand the climatic conditions of most Russian regions.
Mountain
One of the most popular types of decorative pine. The plants are very compact, grow slowly and are ideal even for growing in a small area.
Black
This species is native to Central and Southern Europe. Pine is so named for the dark color of its bark. Unlike other species, it differs in shade tolerance.
There are many decorative forms and varieties: pyramidal, dwarf, golden and others.
Veimutova
One of the most decorative pine species, it originates from North America. Differs in the bluish color of soft and long needles. The branches grow almost horizontally, which provides additional decorative effect of the crown.
Rumelian
In another way, this species is also called the Balkan pine. Differs in rapid growth, unpretentiousness to growing conditions, can grow even in partial shade.The needles have a bluish tint, thick and dense. At the age of 10, it reaches a height of 2.5 m. Mature trees grow up to 20 m.
How to grow a decorative pine tree from seeds
In general, pine is considered the simplest among the other representatives of conifers for cultivation from seeds. Moreover, the seed method of reproduction can be considered practically the only one for her, since her cuttings either do not take root at all, or the formation of roots occurs with great difficulty.
Most ornamental species don't even need stratification. But the freshest seeds germinate best. Therefore, it is better to collect them yourself in the nearest coniferous forest, park or arboretum. If the desired species does not grow nearby, then you can look for decorative pine seeds from collectors.
Prepare the lightest soil for sowing seeds. In heavy soil, pine seeds may not germinate at all, and if sprouts do appear, they will quickly die. It is best to mix equal parts of high-moor peat and sand.
It will be useful to soak the seeds in water at room temperature before planting. You can add one of the growth stimulants (HB-101, Zircon, Epin). The seeds are soaked for a day, but you can also keep them in wet gauze and until germination.
One has only to make sure that the gauze remains wet all the time. The nashed seeds are placed in moist light soil to a depth of no more than 1 cm and wait for the emergence of sprouts.
The sprouting seed box should be immediately placed in the brightest spot possible. Any shading can lead to stunted growth and development of seeds.
Therefore, after the emergence of seedlings, they must be regularly sprayed or watered for preventive purposes with the addition of any biological fungicide, Fitosporin, Alirin-B, or their analogue.
In the fall of the year of planting, seedlings of decorative pine can already be transplanted in separate containers for further growth. With proper protection, especially from rodents, they can even be planted in the ground in a permanent place right away.
Planting and caring for decorative pine in the open field
Ornamental pine is an unpretentious plant and does not require particularly careful maintenance. Nevertheless, subject to all planting rules, trees will be able to take root well and delight with their appearance and healing aroma for many years.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
It does not matter whether the ornamental pine seedling was grown from seeds at home, or was purchased in a nursery or on the market, the main thing is that before transplanting it must retain an earthen lump on the roots. Pine trees transplanted with bare roots take root with great difficulty and can be sore for a long time.
The place for planting decorative pine is chosen the sunniest on the site. Only in the first week after planting, the seedling can be shaded if the weather is sunny.
Groundwater should also not get too close to the surface. In any case, in the pit for planting pine trees, a drainage layer must be arranged, at least 10 cm deep.
Landing rules
The volume of the planting pit should approximately correspond to the size of the earthen clod on the roots of the pine and be slightly larger. It is especially important to dig a larger hole in depth. The bottom of the planting pit is covered with drainage from rubble or broken brick. Then add a little nutrient soil, consisting of sod land, humus and sand.
An earthen lump is placed on top, and the gaps are covered with a nutrient mixture. Since the root collar of a pine tree should be flush with the ground, you can even place it a little higher when planting. Indeed, over time, thanks to irrigation, the earth will settle, and the root collar will also sink.
Watering and feeding
Young seedlings in the first years of life require regular watering, about once a week and even more often if the weather is dry and hot. Mature trees are watered only 1-2 times during the whole season. One tree requires about 50-80 liters of water. In hot weather, pines, especially young ones, will favor sprinkling of the crown in the day after sunset.
It is best to use compost as a top dressing for decorative pines. It is either diluted in water for irrigation, or mixed with mulch in a near-stem circle.
Mineral dressing can be applied only in spring and it is advisable to use special granular fertilizers for conifers.
Mulching and loosening
Since the roots of the pine are at a short distance from the surface, it is often not recommended to loosen the soil near the trunk.
To protect against weeds, to preserve moisture and additional nutrition, the root zone is mulched with a layer of 6-8 cm. It is best to use for this shredded bark of coniferous trees or the top layer of earth from a pine forest.
Pruning
Pine is not bad for pruning and, if necessary, its crown can be formed in any convenient way.
An annual sanitary pruning is mandatory, during which all dry, damaged or aching branches are removed.
Protection against diseases and pests
If you fulfill all the necessary requirements for caring for a pine tree, then, most likely, diseases and pests will not be able to harm the tree. But for preventive purposes, it is recommended to spray the crown with Fitoverm from pests in early spring. And for the prevention of diseases several times during the warm period, the tree is watered with a solution of biofungicide.
Preparing for winter
Ornamental pines generally tolerate frost well. But the youngest trees under the age of 4-5 years are best prepared for the winter period. To do this, the entire surface of the earth under the crown is covered with a layer of peat, about 10 cm high. And the crown is covered with spruce branches, which is fixed with a rope. The first spring sun, which can cause burns, can also be dangerous for young pine seedlings. For protection in the first spring months, the seedlings are covered with a special light-colored non-woven material.
Gardening tips
Experienced gardeners are advised to pay attention to the following points when growing decorative pines:
- When planting and transplanting, and even when sowing pine seeds, it is advisable to add a little pine needles litter to the planting soil. The mycorrhiza present in it will facilitate the survival of pines in a new place.
- Several times per season, young pine seedlings should be shed with Heteroauxin or Kornevin. This will help the growth and development of the root system.
- It is worth replanting only seedlings under the age of 5 years. Older trees tolerate replanting much worse.
- In the spring, pine trees throw out many shoots in the form of candles, from which new branches then grow. If you cut them off, it will look ugly at first. But over time, this will lead to the formation of additional lateral shoots and the formation of a dense crown.
Conclusion
Decorative pine, if desired, can even become the main decoration of the site. Especially if you thoughtfully approach the choice of a suitable species or variety and plant it according to all the rules.
