{"product_id":"la-cabana-mugo-pine","title":"La Cabana Mugo Pine","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Mounding Mugo Pine for Minnesota Beds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eLa Cabana Mugo Pine (\u003cem\u003ePinus mugo\u003c\/em\u003e 'La Cabana') is a select compact mugo with a tight mounding habit, mature 3–4 ft tall by 4–5 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F and deer resistant. Excellent for small-yard foundation accents where standard mugos get too large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eLa Cabana Mugo Pine Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePinus mugo\u003c\/em\u003e 'La Cabana'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLa Cabana Mugo Pine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow — 3–5 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — deep green needles in tight mound\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEuropean Alps species; 'La Cabana' compact selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eLa Cabana Mugo Pine Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eCompact Foundation Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLa Cabana's tighter habit fits beds where Dwarf Mugo would eventually outgrow its space. Plant 4–5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed Evergreen Compositions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair with Sky Rocket or Tannenbaum for vertical contrast above the mounding form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant La Cabana Mugo Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like La Cabana Mugo Pine. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant La Cabana Mugo Pine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 4–5 feet apart for continuous foundation row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering La Cabana Mugo Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished La Cabana Mugo Pine rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for La Cabana Mugo Pine if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill La Cabana survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 2 (-50°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Dwarf Mugo Pine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLa Cabana stays slightly smaller (3–4 ft) and has a tighter habit than the standard Dwarf Mugo (3–5 ft).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTannenbaum Mugo Pine\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical pyramidal mugo above the mounding form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRussian Cypress\u003c\/strong\u003e — Low ground-hugging conifer at the front of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many La Cabana Mugo Pine Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous foundation or border row, use the body's own 4–5 foot spacing (mounds knit together as they reach their 4–5 ft spread):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants at 4 ft spacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an accent, give a single plant a 5-foot circle, or set a triangle of 3 on 4-foot centers. At 3–5 inches of growth a year it fills in slowly — buy the largest size you can if you want presence right away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLa Cabana Mugo Pine Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright \"candles\" of new growth push from each branch tip; pinch them by half in late spring if you want the mound even denser.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy cushion of deep-green needles that shrugs off heat and dry spells once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Needles hold their dark green color while the deciduous bed fades around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully evergreen structure under snow — one of the bed's anchors through the cold months, hardy to -40°F and beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/tannenbaum-mugo-pine\"\u003eTannenbaum Mugo Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pick: a pyramidal mugo for vertical contrast above the mound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/russian-cypress\"\u003eRussian Cypress\u003c\/a\u003e — ground-hugging conifer to carpet the front of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sky-rocket-juniper\"\u003eSky Rocket Juniper\u003c\/a\u003e — narrow blue exclamation point behind the deep-green cushion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/honey-bun-mugo-pine\"\u003eHoney Bun Mugo Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — an even smaller mugo cushion for stepping the planting down in scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs La Cabana Mugo Pine Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose La Cabana for a full-sun foundation bed or rock garden where you want a dependable evergreen mound that never needs shearing, ignores deer, and rarely asks for water once established. It handles clay-loam as long as drainage is decent. Not a fit if the spot gets under 6 hours of sun or stays soggy after rain — mugo pines sulk in shade and wet feet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#6 Gallon","offer_id":54103523885361,"sku":null,"price":219.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3' BB","offer_id":54103523918129,"sku":null,"price":302.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4' BB","offer_id":54103523950897,"sku":null,"price":384.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/La_cabana_mugo_pine_15_3.jpg?v=1777906797","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/la-cabana-mugo-pine","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}