Dwarf Blue Pine 'Swiss Stone'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$199.99
Title

A vision of alpine elegance for your landscape! 'Glauca' is a stunning selection of the Swiss Stone Pine, prized for its exceptionally dense, narrow form and its soft, shimmering needles. The foliage is a beautiful tapestry of deep forest green and frosty silver-blue, creating a luminous, bicoloured effect that catches the light. Its perfectly tailored, upright silhouette provides a refined and tranquil presence that stays lush and vibrant through all four seasons.

Size

Size Guide

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

12–20' H x 6–10' W

Zone:

3-7

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Extremely Slow

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Blue Swiss Stone Pine, Arolla Pine, Swiss Stone Pine

Scientific Name:

Pinus cembra 'Glauca'

Type:

Ornamental Evergreen Conifer

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically reaches 12–20 feet tall with a 6–10 foot spread.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Narrowly pyramidal when young, becoming slightly more rounded with age.
  • Growth Rate: Very slow (roughly 3–6 inches per year).
  • Longevity: Extremely long-lived; can live for several centuries.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers rich, deep, sandy loams; thrives in cool summer climates.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adaptable to a wide range of soil types and pH levels as long as drainage is excellent.
  • Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy during the first 2–3 years; once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant.

Special Features:

  • Resistance: Highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and urban pollution.
  • Native Species: A selection of species native to the mountain regions of Central Europe.
  • Edible: Produces edible seeds (pine nuts) that are cherished in European alpine regions.
  • Uses: Foundations, rock gardens, and winter interest gardens.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Fall/Winter Colour: Retains its striking silver-blue and green tones year-round.
  • Bark: Attractive grey-brown bark that becomes scaly and fissured with age.
  • Fruit: Produces decorative oblong cones that are greenish-purple when young, maturing to a rich purplish-brown.

Garden Value:

An exceptional vertical accent or focal point for smaller landscapes. Its narrow footprint makes it perfect for framing entryways, creating tight privacy screens, or adding structural interest to modern and traditional garden designs.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife: Seeds are a vital food source for birds (like nutcrackers) and squirrels; dense branches provide excellent winter shelter.
  • Human: Highly valued for its ornamental beauty and delicious edible nuts; the wood is traditionally used in high-quality alpine crafts and furniture.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Early spring or fall.
  • Spacing: Space 10–12 feet apart for a screen or as a standalone specimen.
  • Location Tips: Suitable for planting under power lines; ensure good air circulation to maintain plant health. 

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun; requires at least 6–8 hours of direct light for the best density and colour.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil; highly intolerant of standing water.
  • Maintenance, Fertilization: Very low maintenance; pruning is rarely needed but can be done by trimming back only the current season's new growth. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.

Tolerances:

Cold, deer, salt, and inner-city urban conditions.

Tips For Success:

Mulch heavily to keep the root zone cool and preserve moisture. Ensure the planting site has superior drainage, as this tree is highly sensitive to root rot in waterlogged soils.

Fruit Profile