Spilled Milk Mugo Pine

Spilled Milk Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo 'Spilled Milk')

Spilled Milk Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo 'Spilled Milk') is a rare and unusual ground-hugging conifer with a low, spreading habit and soft blue-green needles. Named for its cascading, irregular form that appears to spill across the ground, this distinctive cultivar brings texture and movement to rock gardens, slopes, and foreground plantings where space is limited but visual interest is key.

Distinctive Features

'Spilled Milk' forms a sprawling mat of densely packed branches, often hugging the ground and reaching outward rather than upward. Its softly colored needles are tinged with silvery blue, creating a subtle contrast against darker foliage or stonework. The plant�s unique growth habit adds a windswept, naturalistic quality to any setting, maturing to just 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 3 to 5 feet.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy, rocky, or loamy soils
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
• Water Needs: Low to moderate; water regularly during establishment
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7

Ideal Uses

• Rock gardens and alpine plantings
• Groundcover on slopes or retaining walls
• Low foreground accent in conifer displays
• Containers and trough gardens
• Naturalistic or Japanese-inspired landscapes

Low Maintenance Care

• No pruning required; allow natural form to develop
• Water during prolonged dry periods, especially when young
• Mulch to protect shallow roots and conserve moisture
• Fertilize lightly in spring if desired
• Very cold-hardy and adaptable to poor soils

Why Choose Spilled Milk Mugo Pine

• Unique spreading habit adds movement and texture
• Soft blue-green needles offer gentle contrast
• Excellent groundcover or rock garden choice
• Low-maintenance and exceptionally hardy
• Provides a distinctive evergreen focal point in low-profile plantings

Spilled Milk Mugo Pine is an eye-catching groundcover that brings character, texture, and evergreen appeal to gardens where horizontal form and subtle color are key elements of design.