We’ve experimented with a number of conifers through the decades, and as you can imagine, we’ve killed quite a few of those experiments. One of the nice surprises has been the unexpected success of Pinus strobiformis ‘Loma Linda’. Pinus strobiformis is the Southwestern US (Sierra Madre Occidental) equivalent of the Northeastern native white pine, Pinus strobus, a species that isn’t exactly thrilled with our hot, humid, wet summers. We figured we’d quickly dispatch its cousin with evem less moisture tolerance, but to our surprise, our specimen below is still thriving after 6.5 years. The cultivar Pinus ‘Loma Linda’ is a dwarf, originally discovered by Jerry Morris as a witches broom near the Loma Linda Ranch in New Mexico. It will eventually mature at 6′ tall x 4′ wide.
Would this grow successfully in North Florida? Zone 8-9
Perhaps in the panhandle, if anywhere in Florida, but I would give it a 40% chance there.
What rootstock was used?
Unfortunately, we don’t know.