Botanical Name: Pinus mugo 'Big Tuna'
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Common Name: Big Tuna Mugo Pine  
Plant photo of: Pinus mugo 'Big Tuna'
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Water Saving Tip:

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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Conifer, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Intermittent

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen, Unusual Shape

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Container, Hedge, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

A rugged and hardy multi-stemmed pine with dense dark green foliage. 'Big Tuna' is compact, but not a dwarf, and grows slowly to about 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with an upright, though bushy habit. Useful as a hedge or screen, or used as an accent plant. Buds are showy during cold winter months and stand out distinctly against dark green foliage. Evergreen. This may be the best plant name out there, and is worth growing just to have 'Big Tuna' in the landscape.
Grow in full sun in well drained soil. Useful in shrub borders and mass plantings. Growth is slow, generally, and size varies. See guide for tips on pruning evergreens. Candle length is a good indicator of the rate of growth and the ultimate size of a mugo pine, which is handy as there is a great deal of variation in character within the species.