Pinus strobus ‘Krueger’s Liliput’ (Eastern White Pine Mini Standard)

Our specimens of this ravishing little Eastern White pine are ‘grafted mini standards’. Please forgive the Crufts-esque nomenclature of this description. ‘Standard’ is a term used to describe a single, straight trunk with an absence of lower limbs that have usually been lopped off (that Crufts analogy seems a bit sinister now) to give a fixed, defined height. Thereafter the puff of branches which emerge can be clipped or whatnot.

‘Liliput’ has been grafted onto a short trunk to achieve a ‘mini-standard’ lollipop shape, and said column elevates this lovely puff of fuzzy branches just enough to make a very pretty little tree with a dense mop of tawny stems coated in jade-green fuzz. These short needles have a silvery underside which is brings further lightness to their form. Some pines can indeed look a little Brobdingnagian so here’s the counter-offer. You definitely need a few.

It looks very smart in a rounded pot we’re sure you’ll agree: one of our images shows just that and the circular form of this tree echoed in the rounded belly of a good dollop of something mineral is striking. Ours is on the ground but you could elevate a couple on columns if you’re feeling grand and that would really emphasise the cloud-like puff of needles.

Fares best in full sun or very light shade, and likes a well-drained soil but doesn’t mind what kind.

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.