Varieties of Pine Bushes

Native Varieties

• Pinus banksiana "Uncle Fogy" is a small, native variety of jack pine, growing between 18 and 24 inches tall. Uncle Fogy tolerates extreme winters, being hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 2, but still growing into the much warmer zone 7. Uncle Fogy works as ground cover since it spreads out as much as 15 feet over 10 years. Use "Paul Waxman," a dwarf cultivar of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), along your foundations and in rock gardens in zones 3 through 8. This bush stays in the 2- to 5-foot-tall range and features blue-green needles.

Nonnative Varieties

• Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) grows as far north as Norway in Europe, so it is very tolerant of North American cold. "Hillside Creeper" is a small, prostrate type suitable for zones 2 through 8. It does not exceed 24 inches, creating carpets of green needles over time. Pinus parviflora "Glauca Nana" isn't extremely cold-hardy, but this Japanese white pine can withstand winters in zone 4. Glauca Nana grows to 3 feet, features green-blue foliage and is useful as a patio plant.

Very Short Varieties

• Growing at the rate of an inch every year, Pinus mugo "Teeny" takes 10 to 12 years to achieve maturity, making it about a foot high. Teeny is one of the shortest pine bushes available, according to the University of Connecticut Plant Database, serving in rock gardens and as a foundation bush in USDA zones 3 through 7. A very short variety of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), "Hornibrookiana" features stiff, deep green needles in a compact form. It grows just 24 inches high and is suitable in USDA zones 4 through 7.

Winter Color Varieties

• Plant "Chief Joseph" in full sun for this lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) cultivar to deliver its best winter color. The green needles turn golden in winter. Chief Joseph grows no taller than 6 feet and handles USDA zones 5 through 9. Pinus sylvestris "Gold Coin" is a similar type of pine bush, growing to variable heights that can sometimes reach close to 20 feet. Gold Coin, a Scotch pine cultivar, turns yellow in winter, with its summer needles being shades of greenish-yellow.