Pinus koraiensis 'SILVERAY'

Korean pine belongs among the most beautiful pines of our climate. It originates in regions of Amur, Korea, and northern China. It bears long, stiff, partly curved needles that are borne in whorls of 5. They fall down after 2 years revealing smooth, grey-brown bark. Korean pine makes a regular, conical shape but, being a very slow grower, it needs some time to show it.

Silveray is a beautiful variety of Korean pine, forming narrowly pyramidal to almost egg-shaped shrubs/feathered trees. It differs from the species by its long, slightly twisted needles with a silvery grey stripe that gives the whole plant an attractive silvery blue feeling. It grows slowly, only some 25 cm per year, reaching 4-5m in small gardens or twice as much in parks and arboretum with much more space around. It can be pruned or clipped in mid spring by cutting or removing new shoots. Cones are formed from young age and produce edible seeds.

It was formerly called Glauca (= blue in Latin) just to distinguish it from the species, and in 1978 in F.J.Grootendorst Nursery it was renamed to Silveray which is by far a much better as well as poetic name for this beauty.

All pines love sunny sites and dislike wet ground. It can live on either fertile of poor soil. Korean pine must have acidic or neutral soil and is very hardy - it can take about -40°C (USDA zone 3) which is why it is popular especially in northern countries where it is absolutely unharmed by harsh winters. It is suitable for large outdoor pots.

Last update 31-01-2019