Scots pine

Scots pine carries the orange-red upper bark that no other common bonsai pine shows, developing it early enough to be a feature within a decade of training. It is hardy well into cold climates, needs a real winter dormancy to stay healthy, and tends toward a more open, windswept character than the denser Japanese pines.

Care at a glance

Watering

Water thoroughly, let the surface dry between waterings. Roughly every 2 days in spring, 2 in summer, 3 in autumn and 7 in winter.

Light

Full sun, six hours or more.

Winter

Fully hardy; protect the pot from freezing solid in severe cold. Protect it when the forecast drops below -25 °C.

Feeding

Every 21 days, Apr to Sep.

Repotting

Every 3 to 4 years, as buds begin to swell, in Apr.

Growth

Moderate growth. Hardy in zones 2 to 8.

The work calendar

Styles that suit it

MoyogiChokkanBunjinSankan

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