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| Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’) |
Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Today we feature a slow growing evergreen with an abundance of landscape appeal. If you’re looking for a compact, low-maintenance evergreen that adds year-round structure and rich green texture to the landscape, Japanese Red Pine Low Glow (Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’) is a standout choice! Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’ is native to North America and is cold hardy in USDA zones 3-7.
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This dwarf
cultivar of the North American native Red Pine offers all the beauty of its
full-sized relative in a garden-friendly form that’s ideal for small spaces,
rock gardens, and foundation plantings. The parent species, Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), is native to
northern North America, stretching across the Great Lakes region into Canada
and the northeastern United States. Known for its tall, straight growth and
resilience in cold climates, Red Pine is often used in reforestation projects. ‘Low
Glow’ is a dwarf selection, discovered and cultivated for its compact, mounded
habit and adaptability to gardens and landscapes where full-sized Red Pines
would be far too large.
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Characteristics: Low Glow Red Pine is a small evergreen coniferous shrub displaying a compact, rounded habit and is slow
growing. It typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide after ten years, and in optimum conditions, a maximum of 6 feet wide at maturity. In springtime, clusters of vibrant yellow-green or chartreuse needles create a glowing effect against its dense, rounded form and prominent, white-pointed buds. Needles mature to a deeper green which remain vibrant throughout the year, while providing reliable winter color. Growth
Rate is slow, adding only one to two inches of new growth per year, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
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Care Requirements: Low Glow Red Pine is remarkably easy to grow with just a
few key needs. Locate in full sun in a well-draining, sandy or loamy soil for best performance. Low Glow Red Pine tolerates
partial shade but may lose its dense shape if it doesn’t receive enough
light. Once established, it will tolerate poorer soils but does not thrive in heavy, wet, or clay conditions. Water regularly when young to establish strong roots. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires only occasional watering during extended dry spells. Generally, Low Glow Red Pine requires low to moderate feeding. If
growth is slow or needles appear pale, apply a balanced, slow-release
fertilizer for evergreens in early spring.
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Pruning and Maintenance: Minimal pruning required. Low Glow Red Pine maintains its natural rounded shape without much intervention. If shaping is desired, light pruning can be done in late spring by “candling” (pinching back the new growth on candles before they harden). Remove any dead or damaged branches as needed.
Landscape Uses:
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and have found the information to be useful. Low Glow Red Pine is a dependable, attractive, and easy-to-grow evergreen that offers year round interest with the charm of being a compact, landscape-friendly form. Whether you’re looking to add structure to a rock garden, year-round interest to a foundation planting, or just a hardy, low-care shrub to your landscape, this dwarf pine is an excellent choice.
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As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.
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