Bosnian Pine

There are also dwarf selections which are very beautiful. My little guy has a perfect, tight, dark green shape. I have planted Irish B...Read Moreells, which eventually grows into a --you guessed it--shape like a bell. I haven't had it long, so I can't say how well it does in Massachusetts, but the specialty nurseries here do sell it.

Very slow growing compared to most commonly grown conifers, this pine is nonetheless among the best. It is extremely durable, and with so...Read Moreme patience, forms a mighty tree capable of thriving in tough conditions. It is among the best conifers for growing in the Upper South and Midwest. I can't attest to its abilities further South, but I suspect it would do well at least to Atlanta. It's only drawback is it's slow growth, but it is a steady grower that doesn't seem to be stunted by incliment weather extremes. Bosnian Pines have a more regular form than the better known Austrian pine, which does less well here but is more often planted. Go figure! Although I've mentioned it's hardiness first, it's really the beautiful thickly clustered needles of dark green and it's picture perfect form that make it a standout in the garden. I've not seen large specimens on offer here. Rather, only small plants are regularly seen in the nurseries. Unfortunately mist who plant them, try to use them like Alberta Spruce, right up against the house, and thus nearly assuring that they will be removed before reaching their full glory. The smooth bark of young trees is silvery gray and contrasts nicely with its deep green foliage.

An extremely tough pine, it grows well near our extremely exposed west facing wall down one side of our garden in full sun, and less than...Read More 100 metres from the cliff tops of the west coast of Portland, Dorset.
No windburn, and little maintenance required.
It looks stunning up-lighted at night, and equally so during the daytime in all weathers, in all seasons.
No-one ever mentions this, but it has a beautifully curious habit of closing its needles to the stems somewhat, during wet or foggy weather.
It provides strong and masculine structural attributes to my 'long' conifer border, and I feel it would easily lend itself to mixed borders and beds too.

Generally a slow growing tree, it does well in poor soil and has shown moderate drought tolerance. It's also quite rugged and stands up t...Read Moreo the harsh winds of my area and can endure intense cold as well as moderate heat. It also bears beautiful, purple cones on occasion. I'd certainly recommend this as a centerpiece for someone's yard due to it's highly conical shape.