Pinus strobus 'Sea Urchin'
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Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Common Name: eastern white pine
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Deer, Rabbits

Culture

Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun to light shade. Generally tolerant of urban conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a conical, broad-spreading pine tree that typically grows to 50-110’ (less frequently to 230’) tall and is native to eastern and central North America. Trees have tall straight trunks and whorls of horizontal branching, with crowns that open up and become irregular with age. Flexible, soft, blue-green needles (to 5” long). ‘Sea Urchin’ is a dwarf selection that forms a dense flattened globe of bluish green needles to 2-3’ tall and as wide over the first ten years. It only grows about 1-2” per year.

Plant of Merit

Over the first ten years, this slow-growing miniature white pine forms a flattened globe of blue-green needles to only 2-3 feet tall, somewhat resembling in appearance the spiny hedgehog shape of a sea urchin. It is a colorful and interesting addition to small areas of the landscape including rock gardens, Japanese gardens, border fronts and foundations.

Problems

In cool summer locations, white pine can grow quite well. It is, however, susceptible to a large number of insect and disease problems. Blights and rusts are the main diseases, with its most dangerous enemy being white pine blister rust which is a bark disease that is usually fatal. Species of Ribes (e.g., currants and gooseberries) are the alternate host for white pine blister rust and should not be planted in areas where white pines are under attack. White pine blister rust is not currently a problem in Missouri. Additional disease problems of significance include canker. Insect problems include white pine weevil, bark beetles, white pine shoot borer, Zimmerman moth larvae, pine sawfly, scale and aphids. Spider mites are occasional visitors in some areas.

Garden Uses

This dwarf cultivar is effective as an accent or specimen in the rock garden or Japanese garden or border front. Also effective in foundations and other small garden areas.

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