Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine, Pinus aristata, is a slow-growing evergreen tree from the windswept ridges of the southern Rocky Mountains. It's native to Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, and specimens up to 2,500 years old have been documented. This plant is no mere curiosity, though; bristlecone pine is a wonderful small evergreen for contemporary landscapes. Small in stature, with a sculptural, craggy form, this tree would be a unique focal point in a mixed border or minimalist courtyard garden. Jocelyn H. Chilvers Botanical name: Pinus aristata
Common names: Bristlecone pine, foxtail pine
Origin: Southwestern United States. (Great Basin bristlecone pines — found in California, Utah and Nevada — are a different species, Pinus longaeva.)
USDA hardiness zones: 2 to 6 (find your zone)
Elevation range: 4,500 to 10,500 feet
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Very tolerant of wind and poor, rocky or alkaline soils; very slow growing
When to plant: Spring through early fall
Seasonal interest: Evergreen Jocelyn H. Chilvers Distinguishing traits. Dark green to blue-green needles are 1 1/2 inches long and held in bundles, or fascicles, of five. They're arranged very densely along the branches — hence the common name foxtail pine — and can last 10 to 15 years. The needles exude daubs of white resin that resemble small opaque beads. This characteristic is specific and unique to this species of pine. Jocelyn H. Chilvers The purplish-brown cones are 2 to 4 inches long and have a small, curved spike or bristle on the tips of the scales. Jocelyn H. Chilvers Here, a small bristlecone pine seedling is featured in a trough garden of alpine plants. Its white resin flecks make it easy to identify. Jocelyn H. Chilvers How to use it. The sculptural appearance of bristlecone pine and its very slow growth rate make it an ideal candidate for specimen status in any small landscape, rock garden, raised bed or container. Combine it with other drought-tolerant native plants, like golden currant (Ribes aureum), creeping Oregon grape holly (Mahonia repens) and common juniper (Juniperus communis). Grasses and perennials, like the blue fescue (Festuca glauca) and pussytoes (Antennaria parvifolia), shown here, are perfect for small-scale settings. Jocelyn H. Chilvers Planting notes. Bristlecone pine is best suited to cold, dry climates. Well-drained soil is imperative; keep it well away from lawns and other plantings that need regular irrigation. It may grow a bit faster with supplemental water during the hottest summer months, but will not tolerate heavy, wet clay soil.

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