{"product_id":"slowmound-mugo-pine","title":"Slowmound Mugo Pine","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Tight Compact Mugo Pine for Minnesota Foundation Beds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSlowmound Mugo Pine (\u003cem\u003ePinus mugo\u003c\/em\u003e 'Slowmound') is a tight slow-growing mugo, mature 2–3 ft tall by 3–4 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F and deer resistant. The right pick when you want classic mugo form but need it to stay small for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eSlowmound 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 'Slowmound'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlowmound Mugo Pine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery slow — 2–3 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 slow-growing 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; 'Slowmound' compact selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eSlowmound Mugo Pine Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eTight Foundation Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowmound's very slow growth keeps it in scale for 15–20 years before any pruning is needed. Excellent for foundation pockets and low borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMass Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 3 feet apart for a uniform continuous mugo carpet that holds shape with minimal maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Slowmound Mugo Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Slowmound 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 Slowmound 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 — 3 feet apart for continuous low row; 4 feet for accents.\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 Slowmound 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 Slowmound 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 Slowmound 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 Slowmound survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Dwarf Mugo Pine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowmound is smaller and tighter (2–3 ft vs Dwarf Mugo's 3–5 ft) and grows half as fast.\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\u003eDwarf Mugo Pine\u003c\/strong\u003e — Slightly larger companion mugo for layered foundation plantings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent contrasts the mounding form.\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54103163568433,"sku":null,"price":58.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54103163601201,"sku":null,"price":78.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54103163633969,"sku":null,"price":82.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54103163666737,"sku":null,"price":150.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Slowmound_mugo_pine_3.jpg?v=1777906793","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/slowmound-mugo-pine","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}