Out of the species of conifer that have flourished in my western piedmont NC garden, the Japanese pines are really seeming bulletproof. Pinus thunbergii is scary successful.

However, I have noticed something with Pinus parviflora I have a question about.

I have 3 varieties that have been in the ground for 3 different time periods, and their candles/foliage length, and overall growth seems to correspond.

Pinus parviflora 'Glauca' has been in the ground for 3 years, and had a nice second push of growth.

Conifer Garden · More Info

Conifer Garden · More Info

Pinus parviflora 'Ogon Janome' fried last year, but seemed to bounce back with some resilient growth.

Conifer Garden · More Info

Conifer Garden · More Info

However the most recent addition seems to be sporting extremely tiny congested growth. How long (with ideal water/sun/mulching) will this Pinus parviflora 'fukai' sport this style growth?

Conifer Garden · More Info

Admittedly I bought this tree because it had been sitting around the nursery for a year, and was looking rather homely (at 25 bucks it seemed a no brainer).

I think it has an awesome form for future training.

Conifer Garden · More Info

All of the longer foliage is doing the typical early fall yellowing/falling and now the little tree will be covered in tiny tufts of foliage. I try to stay away from fertilizer, but should I consider some slow release like hollytone this coming spring?

Or should I expect/be comfortable with extremely slow growth and another year or two of stunted growth?

Do the variegated varieties take longer to establish themselves in the landscape? My trio of 'Glauca' were fall plantings, and seemed to establish themselves quickly. Can I attribute that to the fall planting, or them being a hardier cultivar due to a lack of variegation?

Just a question that's been floating around my head.