Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine)
Standing out in the landscape, Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine) is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree of pyramidal habit in youth, becoming more open, flat-topped and picturesque with age. It is often multi-stemmed with a straight to contorted trunk and forked, upswept branches. The slightly curved or twisted, rich blue-green needles, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), are presented in bundles of five and tend to be clustered at the tips of the branches, persisting for five to six years.
Standing out in the landscape, Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine) is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree of pyramidal habit in youth, becoming more open, flat-topped and picturesque with age. It is often multi-stemmed with a straight to contorted trunk and forked, upswept branches. The slightly curved or twisted, rich blue-green needles, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), are presented in bundles of five and tend to be clustered at the tips of the branches, persisting for five to six years. The thick-scaled, egg-shaped seed cones, 8 in. long (20 cm), are bright green and upright in youth, turning yellow-brown and pendulous at maturity. Extremely adaptable, Limber Pine makes a fine specimen.
- Grows up to 40-60 ft. tall (12-18 m) and 25-40 ft. wide (7-12 m).
- Performs best in full sun in well-drained soils. Adaptable to dry soil and wind once established.
- Keep an eye our for white pine blister rust. Deer resistant.
- No pruning required.
- Native from southwestern Canada to western United States.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 4 – 7 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
| Plant Family | Pinus – Pines |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 40' – 60' (12m – 18m) |
| Spread | 25' – 40' (7.5m – 12m) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, California, Midwest, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |