Pinus × holfordiana

RHS Plant Profile

Holford pine

Synonyms

Pinus 'Holfordiana'

Trees Conifers

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A very fast-growing hybrid pine, capable of reaching a height of 27m (90ft) high when mature. A loosely oval to cone-shaped canopy sits above a straight, tapering trunk with bright orange-brown bark. The evergreen needles are blue-green and long, resembling those of Pinus wallichiana, one of its parents. The banana-shaped brown cones are borne in clusters, resinous and extremely sticky.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Genus: Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well drained, preferably neutral to acidic soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings, by hardwood cuttings, or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases