Pinus densiflora 'Rainbow' is a dwarf, upright, bushy selection of Japanese Red pine with stunning foliage that is banded with cream and gold if favorable climatic conditions are met. In order for the plant to show best variegation temperatures must be hot during the day and cool at night while the needles extend from their fascicles. In extremely cold climates, the needles are said to also assume a reddish cast in the variegation in winter.
After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 40 to 60 inches (1 - 15 m) tall and wide, an annual growth rate of 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm).
This cultivar originated as a seedling of Pinus densiflora 'Oculus Draconis' selected in the 1990s by John Emery, Berry, New South Wales, Australia.
