Mugo pine does not tolerate drought. Swiss mountain pine might be grown in zone 8A, but this is a cool climate shrub that does not tolerate extreme heat. Swiss mountain pine is easy to grow from seeds which have no pretreatment requirements. However, plants grown from seeds are highly variable with unpredictable growth rates, sizes and forms. Cultivars are best propagated from cuttings, but this is difficult and requires skill and patience.
Cloned selections are usually rather expensive to buy.
Usage Shrubby cultivars of Swiss mountain pine are normally used in foundation plantings, shrub borders and in groups as specimen shrubs. They make interesting bonsai and rock garden specimens. This is an outstanding maintenance free little shrub with very dense foliage and a fine to medium texture that works well in most landscape settings. Features Swiss mountain pine can be problematic to place in the landscape because its growth rate and ultimate size are often unpredictable. Cultivars listed as small and shrubby sometimes grow into 20' tall trees.