‘Yatsubusa’ Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Yatsubusa’)

Pinus thunbergii ‘Yatsubusa’, the Yatsubusa Japanese Black Pine, is an evergreen, slow-growing dwarf conifer. It has dense needle-like blue-green foliage and small pink cones during spring. This cultivar of the Japanese Black Pine is an excellent addition to rockeries and garden beds and makes an attractive bonsai. It prefers slightly acidic, well-drained and worked mineral soils. When planting, plant the bud union (graft) above the soil level. Water regularly and keep the soil moist until the tree is established, then water moderately. Fertilise when planting and again after new growth periods.

Yatsubusa Japanese Black Pine is an attractive garden feature that creates a strong presence. It grows to about 2.5 metres tall and 1.8 metres wide in ten years and can take candle pruning to maintain shape. Use this pine as a specimen to add weight and a bit of height to any sunny bed or border.