PINUS parviflora ‘Tanima No Yuki’

PINUS parviflora ‘Tanima No Yuki’ is a selection of Japanese white pine with an unpronounceable name which means: “snow in the valley”. This pine is a miniature form that will not exceed 1 meter in height and width after a few decades.
In addition, it offers young shoots of a bright pink in the spring (see photos). Its needles start white and end up green. This reminds us of snow! All this spectacle forms a breathtaking contrast.
For bonsai lovers, this snow pine is one of the ideal plants.

At the time of writing this article, we are also offering for sale on our nursery’s website the following selections:

• PINUS parviflora ‘Blauer Engel’
• PINUS parviflora ‘Fukai’
• PINUS parviflora ‘Goldylocks’
• PINUS parviflora ‘Tempelhof’
• PINUS parviflora ‘Negishi’

How to grow PINUS parviflora ‘Tanima No Yuki’

This Japanese white pine grows much better in a place deprived of sun. It will have its place in a shady area of the garden. In addition, it resists well to drought once it is well taken. For the record, it lends itself perfectly to pot culture and more particularly to bonsai.

Besides, no need to prune it! With age, it will naturally take on beautiful, very graphic shapes.

Finally, this conifer requires drained or moderately moist soil and thrives in light, normal or heavy soil while tolerating any pH level.

History and Origin

PINUS parviflora is also called the five-needle pine. Korea and Japan are its natural habitat. Indeed, it is found a lot in the Japanese islands from 1,300 to 1,800 m above sea level.

PINUS pentaphylla, once recognized as a species in its own right, is now classified as a subspecies of PINUS parviflora.

Then, the Japanese white pines have a very elegant graphic shape in tiers. As they age, the old needles diminish, revealing its attractive bark.

The Latin word parviflora means “with small flowers“.

It is a naturally very slow growing tree and used in bonsai and as an ornamental tree in the parks and gardens of these countries.

However, PINUS parviflora is on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species.