Pinus cembra 'COMPACTA GLAUCA' arolla pine

Compacta Glauca is an arolla pine variety of reduced size. It was selected by C.Frets & Son nursery in Boskoop, the Netherlands, around 1930, in a field of older variety called Glauca which had been known since 1860's. It exhibits much denser and congested growth, and produces about 10 cm long needles. They are medium green with prominent grey blue overlay which makes it look almost silver blue. Young shoots are light green and before the needles separate from the twig (so-called candle phase) you can trim or remove them completely if you wish to keep the plant even smaller, or if you want to shape it.

It naturally forms narrowly egg-shaped, almost columnar, extremely dense shrubs or small trees about 4-5 m tall and not even 2m wide in maturity. Cones are produced on mature plants and hide edible seeds, however, it takes 3 years for them to ripen and fall down. Arolla pine contains a very fragrant essence, not only in the wood but also in the needles which release their perfume already when gently squeezed.

Arolla pine is one of the hardiest pines tolerating hard frost, windy areas and hot sun. One thing it hates though is wet ground. Grow it in full sun, in poor to semi-fertile, well-drained soil. No fertilizing necessary. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 09-11-2018