Ophir Mugo Pine

Ophir Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo 'Ophir')

Ophir Mugo Pine is a compact evergreen shrub that earns its place with year-round structure and a standout winter color shift. It forms a tidy, mounded plant that fits easily into small beds, rock gardens, and foundation plantings without constant pruning. Through the growing season it stays a fresh green, then many plants take on warm golden tones in cold weather, adding seasonal interest when most landscapes go quiet. If you want a low-maintenance conifer that gives you a winter highlight as well as dependable structure, Ophir is a strong choice.

Distinctive Features

This dwarf mugo pine forms a dense, rounded mound with short needles and sturdy branching that holds its shape well. Foliage is typically green in spring and summer, then can shift to yellow to golden tones in winter, creating a brighter look in the cold season. The compact habit stays naturally neat, giving it a composed silhouette that works in both formal and naturalistic designs. It delivers four-season value through evergreen texture plus a reliable seasonal color change.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for dense growth and strongest winter color.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, and it tolerates sandy or rocky soils when drainage is good.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 2 to 7.
• Mature Size: Typically grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide over time.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point in a small bed where the winter color shift can brighten the landscape when it matters most.
• Rock and Gravel Beds: Pair with stone and gravel mulch to highlight form and let winter color stand out.
• Foundation Plantings: Add compact evergreen structure near the home with extra seasonal interest in winter.
• Conifer Gardens: Combine with blue and green conifers to create strong winter contrast and texture.
• Front-of-Border Anchor: Place at the edge of mixed borders to keep plantings looking finished year-round.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist the first season, then water during drought to maintain vigor.
• Mulching: Mulch lightly over the root zone to conserve moisture, keeping mulch off the stems.
• Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to remove dead tips and refine outline if needed.
• Candle Control: Shorten spring candles if you want an even tighter habit and denser growth.
• Site Selection: Avoid wet soils, since good drainage is key to long-term health and color performance.

Why Choose Ophir Mugo Pine?

• Winter Color Interest: Green summer foliage can shift to golden tones for a brighter winter display.
• Compact Evergreen Form: Dense, mounded habit fits smaller landscapes and stays tidy with minimal effort.
• Reliable Structure: Holds a full silhouette through winter and seasonal transitions.
• Low Maintenance: Naturally tough habit needs minimal pruning once established in the right site.
• Versatile Design Use: Works in foundations, rock gardens, borders, and conifer collections.

If you want a compact conifer that stays neat and adds a warm winter highlight, Ophir Mugo Pine is an excellent choice. Give it full sun, well-drained soil, and steady moisture while it establishes, then enjoy its reliable form and seasonal color change year after year. It is a simple way to add four-season structure and winter interest to smaller garden spaces.