I agree. While not native to the area, I have found several growing in the wild, as well as many planted at parks and cemeteries. They seem to do pretty well around here, and the old specimens do indeed have an excellent orange bark.

With the exception of Pinus maximartinezii (not hardy here), I would say this species of pine has the nicest blue tones, so I figured a cultivar of this species selected specifically for it's blue color would indeed be impressive.

As your photo shows even the first year shoots have the warm coloring. If you do image searches you can see multiple examples of the 'Chantry Blue'. Which apparently has a comparatively compact and shrubby habit.

Not hardy where you are but check out Pinus maximartinezii.

Yep, Pinus maximartinezii is awesome, just not around here!

'Chantry Blue' was on my list, I like the form better than Bonna, but I found several mentions that Bonna was still superior in color. There were a couple photos that seemed exaggerated of the Chantry Blue, but taking the average of all the photos I looked at, it didn't seem as impressive. Sourcing would have been a challenge as well.

I have been practicing my candle pruning skills on some native white pines and have had good success creating a fuller, more compact form. I'm hoping I can accomplish the same with sylvestris.

Yes it's simply a matter of snapping out the central candle early in its development. Or shortening most candles before the needles unfold, if you want a greater level of control.

P. s. 'Bonna' is one of the fastest growing pines I've ever planted -- seedling or cultivar. I planted one at my previous residence that was about the size shown in first picture. Within four years it was 12'. The foliage is gorgeous, but this is not a slow growing conifer.

Did you happen to look at Pinus peuce 'Pacific Blue'? I had an opportunity to buy one a few years ago, but the price tag scared me away. Beautiful tree with exquisite blue needles. I'm hoping to plant one this spring.

Yes, that description matches what Bob Fincham wrote about this cultivar as well:

"I first offered 'Bonna' for sale about 1988. I offered it wholesale in the early 90's. The source was a plant at Jeddeloh Nursery in Germany. I had seen it there for the first time and was amazed at the intense blue color and large, cinnamon brown buds. The growth was very fast and the plant had an open habit (2 drawbacks). Blue is very popular in Germany due to the acid rain problems yellowing conifer forests. zu Jeddeloh was excited about this plant due to its color and fast growth. Ten years later they had stopped production due to the rank growth habit.

For me it is not uncommon to get over 2' (60 cm) of growth per year, even on side branches. The wood is soft and the foliage is large, thickly spaced, and heavy, pulling the branches away from the vertical. I have several in my gardens approaching 30' (10 meters) in height. I removed the lower branches and let the others do their own thing. It is a "wild looking" tree but the color is still the best, especially when observed against the large, brown buds."

Pinus strobus grow faster around here than Green Giants, and those can be controlled quite easily by candle pruning, so will do the same with this one. I have even seen several strobus hedges around here that are maintained at very modest heights for very long periods of time.

I've never seen Pinus peuce 'Pacific Blue' in person, but it looks nice in photos. I find that most of the pine cultivars picked for their blue color, tend to be disappointing. I just got Pinus koraiensis 'Blue Ball' and it's not blue. Same with Pinus pumila 'Dwarf Blue'. Pinus parviflora 'Cleary' has a nice blue tone as well, but not the best

Remember that Pinus sylvestris is vulnerable to needlecast and (worse) to the pine wilt nematode.

Its not the bluest pine but worth a look....Pinus strobus 'Blue Clovers'

For strobus I've heard that 'White Mountain' has incredible color, never seen it in person though.

Seems like every species is vulnerable to something these days... The only problem I've had so far is with Picea pungens. I won't grow them any more

Every once in a while I'll see a dead mature Scots Pine, but PWN doesn't seem to be an overwhelming problem...yet. I've got a small P. cembra 'Big Blue' that was very blue when I bought it, but it remains to be seen how well it holds this trait as it matures.

Im embarrassed to admit it, but I had no idea that blue pines even existed. That Bonna looks really nice! (crawls behind rock).

My
understanding is that the glauca effect comes from a wax layer that can wear
off. I have a glauca pine and a glauca spruce that have turned green, I still
like them.

Saw one of these this week, it looked pretty good. In fact I probably should have bought it.

among of the lightest and brightest blues you might find in a pine

http://www.iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/pinus-pine/pinus-parviflora/pinus-parviflora-blauer-engel/