Pinus peuce 'Cesarini' / Cesarini Macedonian pine

Pinus peuce 'Cesarini' is a broadly pyramidal, dwarf selection of Macedonian pine with soft, Blue-green foliage. Typical rate of growth in most areas is 2 to 4 inches (5 - 10 cm) yearly, resulting, after 10 years, in a mature specimen standing 3 feet (1 m) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.

This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found in the late 1980s by Joe Cesarini of Ridgely, Maryland. Cesarini leaves us with a bit of a conundrum regarding his pine introductions. There are also cultivars of Pinus flexilis and strobus in the trade with the cultivar name, 'Cesarini' or 'Mrs. Cesarini' or some variation. The rules of nomenclature forbid using the same cultivar name on more than one plant in a genus. If this P. peuce cultivar was the first selected and introduced then the name is legitimate. Else, it would be best to have arrived at a different cultivar name.

Pinus peuce 'Cesarini' growing in northwestern Pennsylvania, USDA Zone 5b. It grows 4 to 8 inches per year. Would probably have more of an egg shape except that deer pruned it one year.
Photo by William Dunagin

Comments

Marvin Miller

Many years ago I used to purchase dwarf conifers from you when your nursery was in Long Island I stopped off by you one day on the way to Montauk to go fishing .You gave me a small Pinus densaflora dragon eye pine.The plant was good luck because Icought a201 pound blue shark.33 years I planted it on my daughters property in Ringwood N.J.with a couple of hundred other dwarf conifers and rare Japanese maples copper beaches Thanks for all the plants.

[Deleted User]

In the spirit of full disclosure, the ACS has never been in the business of selling plants on a retail level. I believe that Mr. Miller may be referring to Joe Cesarini's personal nursery.