Pinus densiflora Jane Kluis - Japanese Red Pine

The natural shape of Pinus densiflora 'Jane Kluis' resembles a slightly wider than tall parasol. This wonderful little red pine from Japan has a remarkable texture and vegetation so dense that it fills all the empty spaces in its branches. At the end of the branches, its big bright, white buds emerge from a fan of long light green needles. In spring, they lengthen into pink to reddish shoots, covered with small light green needles that elongate and darken as they open into a large sun-shaped crown during summer. Its slow growth and small size allow it to fit in small gardens, enliven rock gardens, and stand out in the foreground on a terrace or balcony. It is an ideal variety for the art of bonsai. It enjoys sunlight and well-drained, ordinary soil.

Pinus densiflora, also known as Japanese red pine or Japanese umbrella pine, is a plant from the Pinaceae family native to forests in northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. In its natural environment, this species can reach heights over 30 m (98.4 ft) and has a variable habit, a naturally twisted shape, and often multiple trunks covered with red bark. Appreciated for its wood in Japan, this species also provides shade for the cultivation of matsutake, a highly aromatic mushroom.

The 'Jane Kluis' variety distinguishes itself from the wild species by its reduced size and its naturally dense tabular habit, which can be further enhanced by pruning in May-June. Its growth is very slow, so that at the age of 10 years, it will reach approximately 50 cm (19.7 in) in height and have a spread of 1.50 m to 2 m (4.9 ft to 6.6 ft). Its often twisted trunk bears almost horizontal branches, from which orange bark-covered twigs emerge. This turns grey and peels off in sheets with age. It is covered with fine needles, 10 cm (3.9 in) long, grouped in pairs and arranged in flat crowns. The big white buds that appear in September at the centre of the fans, at the ends of the branches, contribute greatly to the aesthetics of this variety. They take on lovely shades as they bloom. The shoots located in the centre of the branches are the largest and occupy the upper space, while the lateral, smaller shoots fill the peripheral space.

Japanese red pine 'Jane Kluis' is ideal in even the smallest gardens, whether as a standalone specimen, in a rock garden, or in the back of a border. It will make a magnificent subject in a pot that enhances a balcony or terrace. It works wonders in a Japanese garden and pairs well with large rocks, geometric lines of swimming pools, and masonry works. It can be combined with complementary grasses or dwarf conifers with prostrate habit (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), globose habit (Picea abies 'Little Gem'), or columnar habit (Juniperus communis 'Sentinel'). The visual qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes and textures to the daintiness of flowers. This plant is a perfect alternative to trimmed boxwood or holly, and can be used to mark pathways or border terraces. They also add permanence to the structure of a flowerbed. The key is to play with volumes and colours.