Pinus pinaster Seeds | Maritime Pine
LATIN NAME: Pinus pinaster
COMMON NAME: Maritime Pine
Plant Profile
Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) grows as a tall, evergreen conifer, native to western Mediterranean, with a range extending over portugal, spain, france, italy, and morocco. It likes sun, and sharp-draining soil. Its appeal to pollinating insects adds a second, ecological layer to its ornamental one. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
Pinus pinaster sits in the Pinus group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Coastal wind-resistant habit of maritime pine gives it a recognised place in research on seashore timber pines of great pine group, and pinaster species appears in studies of resin-yielding conifers and dune-holding growth. It retains a following among breeders and collectors, which keeps seed stocks in circulation.
Uses & Benefits
Maritime Pine brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. In coastal, sandy ground, maritime pine surfs sandy garden with long, stiff needles. Timber serves building, boxes and resin trade for generations, cones feed birds, and tree holds dunes and the windbreaks. It grows well in sharp-draining, sunny ground. Beyond the establishment year, its needs are simple and few.
Pines are a materia medica of their own: vitamin-C-rich needle teas saved explorers from scurvy, pine pollen is a tonic food in China, bark proanthocyanidins are studied for circulation, and resin gave turpentine, rosin and naval stores to history.
Growing from Seed
Maritime Pine grows readily from seed. Fill a pot with a light seed compost, sow evenly on the surface, cover thinly and stand it somewhere warm, bright and evenly moist. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Being a tall, evergreen conifer, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. Once established, Maritime Pine largely looks after itself. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Maritime Pine: