Description
Pinus contorta var. contorta is the shore pine, a coniferous evergreen noted for its contorted, twisted, and irregular branches and trunk that occurs in a narrow band along the Pacific coast from the Alaska Panhandle to northern California. It is not uncommon to see its windswept form hanging off cliff edges. The needles are dark green in bundles of two. Cones are small, brown and ovate. The bark is earthy-red, rugged and grooved. Plant in full sun in average to dry, very well drained soils. Fast growing and long lived up to 100 years. Ideal in the xeriscape garden where it may reach 20-35 feet tall and wide. Highly tolerant of salt spray and urban pollution. Can be used as a bonsai specimen. It is a larval host for butterfly and moth species. Photo: Wikipedia.
