PINUS UNCINATA 'PARADEKISSEN'

Pinus uncinata is a close relative to Pinus mugo. It is native to much of Europe, mainly in higher elevations. During the past 20-30 years almost 1,000 witches' brooms have been collected and propagated.

Pinus uncinata 'Paradekissen was discovered by Gunter Horstmann growing in a mountain valley in Switzerland long before the recent witches' broom discoveries. Gunter told be in 1985 that he found this dwarf plant and moved it to his nursery.

 The original plant was 15cm high with a diameter of 70cm when I first saw it. Based upon a core of its trunk, Gunter estimated it to be 400-500 years old .

In his nursery the plant grew faster than in the alpine valley where it was discovered, but still at an exceptionally slow rate.

My original plant is now 25 years old and measures less than 18" (45cm) across, with a relatively flat top. The flat top is especially pronounced on young plants (less that 20 years old).

The four pictures below show plants growing in the Coenosium Gardens collection.

 This plant is grafted on a low stem and is about seven years old.

 This is our original plant and is now approximately 25 years old.

 This is a close view of the foliage of our oldest plant.

 The spruce next to it is Picea pungens 'Fat Mac', anew introduction that originated in Australia.