Pinus pinea (Umbrella / Italian Stone Pine) seeds

Fabulous pine tree with a striking, umbrella shaped form which dominates the landscape in Tuscany, Italy.  Not often seen in the UK, these striking trees deserve to be more widely grown.  For that authentic Italian look they only need the lower branches removing as they grow.  This pruning tradition shows off the attractive, craggy, orange streaked bark to great effect.  Very well suited to sandy soils and coastal conditions, they are also drought tolerant.  Planted in a row, the Stone Pine makes an effective and attractive screen.  Also perfect for creating Bonsai trees and will happily live in a container if you have limited space.

Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Hardy Tree
Height: to 20m - prune to any size
Position: Sun and well drained soil

Packet of 10 seeds

RHS Award of Garden Merit

This plant/cultivar has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant. For more information on RHS award of Garden Merit plants visit rhs.org.uk/plants

GROWING GUIDE

These seeds have a shallow dormancy and need a period of cold treatment before they will germinate.  This can be done outdoors over winter or indoors at any time of year.

• Mix compost 50:50 with vermiculite or perlite, then water until just moist.
• Sow seeds thinly on the surface and cover with a sprinkling of compost, vermiculite or perlite, then seal inside a polythene bag.

Outdoors - October to January

• Place pots in a sheltered spot, coldframe or unheated greenhouse and cover with a clear bag or glass to keep the critters out.
• Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
• The seedlings will emerge in spring when the weather warms up.

Indoors - Anytime

• Place pots in the fridge for 6 weeks.
• Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
• After 6 weeks, move to 18-21C on a windowsill or in a propagator.
• Germination can be slow and erratic and may take a few months.
• When the seedlings emerge, increase ventilation by opening the bag or propagator vents.
• When they are large enough to handle, transplant into 7-9cm pots and grow on, repotting as needed.
• Indoor grown seedlings can be moved outside in spring once all risk of frost has passed. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by placing them outdoors during the day for a week or so.
• When mature enough, plant out in the garden in their final position.