Mugo Pine Peeking Up In the Snow - January 2026

Planted back in the Fall of 2021, we have a (still) small Mugo Pine in the backyard northside bed about 3/4's of the way back.  It is planted pretty close to the Harry Lauder Walking Stick Tree that I posted about yesterday.  It was a #1 gallon conifer when it went in and cost just $5.00.  

I posted about it one-year after planting as it was establishing itself (but not putting on any growth at that time).   Then, in Fall of 2022, I noted that the (dang!) rabbits were feasting on this small shrub.  

By Fall of 2024 it had grown a little bit, but it still was small.  

Today? Like the Harry Lauder Contorted Walking Stick Tree...this one has been 'slow-growing'.  Here, below, is the Mugo Pine peeking up out of the snow:

I included the idea of 'conifers should come first' in my v1 draft of Jake's Great Garden Rules  and this Mugo Pine is an example of a conifer that I planted earlier than most.  Was it likely too small (at the time)?  Yes.  But, I was deal-hunting.  It will take another decade to be of any material size in the garden.  We'll get to continue to enjoy it as it grows up and out, adding branches and needles.