Pinus parviflora var. pentaphylla 'Azuma' is a slow-growing, pyramidal dwarf selection of Japanese white pine with silver-blue incurved needles held forward around the buds on the shoot ends. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 24 inches (60 cm) tall and 16 inches (40 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 - 6 cm). The result is a nice irregular dwarf pine in the landscape.
Stanley & Sons nursery, Boring, Oregon describes 'Azuma' as follows, "a dwarf form of Japanese white pine. Plant has some of the Bluest needles we have seen. Plant is a real dwarf just growing about 1 to 3 inches a year. Very nice plant for Bonsai work. Great for troughs too!"
Although the precise history of this cultivar is unknown, it is known to have been recorded in Japan as early as 1976. It is derived from a local provenance from Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures in Japan. A synonym commonly seen in the nursery trade is 'Azuma-goyo.' The use of the word "goyo" in Japanese white pine cultivar names is considered to be redundant because it is simply a translation for 5-needled pine.
