What: The Bosnian pine is a great slow-growing conifer for the landscape. Pinus heldreichii (synonym Pinus leucodermis) will maintain a strong central trunk, creating a stately tight pyramidal form. The stiff upright bundles of needles are a dark green with have a lustrous and rich tone. As the pine matures, its form will become a little more open, showing an attractive layered branching habit. It is very tough and versatile evergreen, tolerating poor soil locations and sunny hot spots. Bosnian pine is great for formal settings and would be an appropriate choice for smaller gardens. It has no major insect or disease problems.
Where: Pinus heldreichii grows best in full sun. It prefers well-drained or sandy soil, although it will tolerate clay is the drainage is adequate.
Size: This conifer grows to be 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide when mature.
Care: Once established, the tree is completely drought tolerant. The roots are tolerant of restricted zones, making it great for patio planters and large containers. Little pruning is needed to maintain its tidy habit; only remove dead, broken or poorly formed limbs. New growth can be broken in half or pinched out to create a denser, more compact tree.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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