| General Description | Pinus contorta var. contorta 'Spaan's Dwarf' is a compact dwarf shrub with dense, thick branches and dark green needles. |
| ID Characteristic | Branches sweep out and up from the stem. Needles are short and slightly curved. Buds are characteristically brown and purple during winter. |
| Shape | Slightly conical with a round crown. |
| Landscape | Used as a specimen plant or bonsai because of its unique form. Works well in rock and alpine gardens to lend variety. |
| Cultivation | Grow in full sun. Tolerant of poor soil conditions. Ideally, this shrub should be pruned to give the illusion of a natural appearance. |
| Pests | No known pests. |
| Notable Specimens | The Oregon Garden's Conifer Garden, Silverton, Oregon, United States of America. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Dark brown with small scales, coarsely textured. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Long, oval-shaped, golden yellow. |
| Leaf Description | Needles are 3 - 7 cm long, flat and slightly curved, two per fascicle. |
| Flower Description | Male, golden-yellow, full of pollen, forming clusters. |
| Fruit Description | Cones are 2 - 5 cm long and oval-shaped, brown turning slightly purple in winter. Some will naturally go to seed at maturity while others may take several years. |
| Colour Description | The bark is dark brown, needles are a vibrant, dark green. Springtime flower buds are an intense golden yellow. In the summer, cones are light brown, developing a purple hue in winter. |
| Texture Description | Coarse. |
