Gardens

The Garden
November 1999

Against the bland walls of Leyland cypress that divide the country the genus Pinus brings great variety and beauty, and is underused by gardeners writes Allen Coombes

The planting of conifers for utilitarian purposes has given them a bad name in horticultural circles but there is a lot more to this group of noble trees than forest plots or overgrown hedges. Pines perhaps are particularly valuable, with their variability and adaptability, and they include those that are fast growing, tough and suitable for shelter, as well as many with remarkable ornamental qualities.

With 110 species, Pinus is the largest coniferous genus. It also has the widest distribution, is the most diverse, and is probably the best known. The natural distribution of pines extends around the northern hemisphere, from the arctic to tropical Central America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, where one species crosses into the southern hemisphere.

With such a wide spread, their natural habitats, as well as the plants, are extremely varied. Typically found on mountains and mountain slopes, they also descend to sea level on many coasts and extend to swamps and tropical grasslands. In habit they range from dwarf, shrubby or creeping species such as Pinus mugo on European mountains and P. pumila from eastern Siberia, to Californian giants such as P. lambertiana which can reach 70m (230ft) in height.

Before the diversity of conifers was fully known, many other genera such as the firs, spruces, cedars and larches were called pines by early botanists. Today, although these are now separated from the true pines, many other plants, which may or may not resemble them, have the word 'pine' in their common name. These include Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese umbrella pine), Araucaria araucana (Chile pine) and more recently Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi pine).

Allen Coombes is Botanist at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum

Early introductions

Bundles of leaves

Cones and seeds

Choices for the garden

Cultivation