Japanese White Pine 'Ryu-ju'

Japanese White Pine Ryu-ju (Pinus parviflora 'Ryu-ju') — a collector's cultivar of the Japanese white pine; 'Ryu-ju' has its own unique characteristics inherent precisely to the species parviflora.

Characteristics of the cultivar 'Ryu-ju'

• Needle aesthetics: Like all white pines, it has needles gathered in tufts of 5. The needles have a characteristic blue-green or silvery tint thanks to the white stripes on their inner side, which creates a "shimmering" effect.
• Growth form: This is a dwarf form with a very dense, irregular crown. The branches are often curved, which makes it an ideal candidate for creating niwaki (garden bonsai) without much effort.
• Cones: The cultivar is known for the early appearance of decorative cones, which stay on the branches for a long time, adding charm to the tree
• Height at 10 years about 60–90 cm