Pinus Parviflora ‘Negeshi’ (Japanese White Pine)

A lovely form of the Japanese White Pine which slowly grows to around 150cm in height and 100cm in spread. It has elegant, slender needles which are very slightly twisted and a bluish-grey to bright green. Open-formed with pale, smooth bark this pine will steadily grow into a loosely conical, quite pointed shape.

Essential. A cornerstone of our garden and planting design here and foundational in Japanese garden design. This tree embodies both a neatness of form and an architectural asymmetry which makes it unsurpassed as an ingredient for the aesthetic: we may perhaps combine it with some more strictly topiarised forms like Niwaki (our speciality) and underplant it with pillowy evergreen clouds and mounds. Great for a rockery or potted on a patio.

‘Negeshi’ could refer to a former village neighbourhood of Yokohama, or it could be in honour of Ei-ichi Negishi the Nobel prize winning chemist. Uncertain providence but it does have an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS and what is most certain is that you need one.

Incredibly adaptable, in any well drained soil and any aspect, either exposed or sheltered but it does do best in full sun.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.