Pinus sylvestris 'Bexel' is a very choice diminutive selection of of Scots pine with extremely tight and congested branch structure. Sometimes the branchlets will tend to "lay over" presenting a natural wind-swept effect in miniature form. Needles are of typical color for the species but much shorter, only around an inch (2.5 cm) long. The plant is exceptionally attractive in the early spring when the copious candles begin to elongate. Typical rate of growth in most areas in less than an inch (1 - 1.5 cm) per year resulting is a small bun less than 1 foot (30 cm) wide and somewhat less tall after 10 years in the garden. This cultivar is one of the best pine selections imaginable for the rock garden as it will naturally form a very desirable "Krummholz" effect.
Sonny Magnusson of Vänersborg, Sweden is credited with the cultivar's origin and introduction. In 1993, he grew the original plant from seed collected in the mountains of Sweden from a random witch's broom he considered not worthy of propagation. He later named it for his daughter whose nickname is Bexel. The original seedling, pictured in the gallery above still lives in Sonny's private garden in Sweden.
Note that this cultivar is often seen in the nursery trade listed as 'Bexel WB-SDL.' Based on recent messages from the originator (December, 2014), it was never his intent to name it this way.
