Pinus mugo 'Short Needle' is a very slow-growing, flattened globose selection of mugo pine with short, stout branches, holding exceptionally tiny needles and prominent pale-brown buds, particularly in early spring. After 10 years, a mature plant will measure 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm). This plant would be an excellent choice for an alpine rockery or the front on a mixed border of dwarf conifers.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected from among thousands of Pinus mugo var. pumilo seedlings in 1990 by Iseli Nursery, inc. of Boring, Oregon, USA. One should note that this cultivar name is also seen in the Pinus strobus and Pinus banksiana species. Per the rules of botanical nomenclature, one can only use a particular cultivar name once within a genus.
