Pinus cembra 'Chalet' - Chalet Swiss Stone Pine

This striking variety is slow growing and develops a dense, narrow, conical form; stunning blue and green needles add interest to an already beautiful plant; hardy and compact, it is a perfect choice as a small accent tree in smaller landscapes

Height: 10 feet. Spread: 5 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 3a.

Ornamental features

Chalet Swiss Stone Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its rigidly columnar form. It has attractive silvery blue foliage with green undersides. The needles are highly ornamental and remain silvery blue throughout the winter.

Landscape

Chalet Swiss Stone Pine is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Accent, Vertical Accent, Mass Planting, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use.

Planting and growing

Chalet Swiss Stone Pine will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.