Very slow growth, green-blue needles, rough, platy, grey bark; produces new spring shoots, called “candles” in March/April and replaces the old needles in October.                                                                                                          Loves well-ventilated places in full sun, both in Mediterranean and mountain areas. Well-drained, neutral pH soil; water stagnation must be avoided, water only when the soil is completely dry. Treat once with a slow release fertilizer in spring; provide a preventive anti-fungal treatment in winter as well as a mineral oil insecticide treatment.                                                                                  Known in Japan as“five-needle”(goyō) pine because the needles are clustered in groups of ...