ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
Montana Moss ® juniper . Photo by Proven Winners .
Juniper has long been a pop ornamental garden plant for its four - time of year interest , power to farm in most regions , and virtually carefree nature . With figure browse from ground - bosom retem bush just 6 inches high to towering juniper trees 130 groundwork tall , and colors from steely down in the mouth to shimmer gold , there ’s ajuniperthat suits intimately every landscape painting need . Whether you want to cover a incline for erosion control or create a privacy hedging , there ’s one that fits the bill .
A appendage of the cypress family , there are some 50 to 60 species of these cone-bearing evergreen plant , which occur natively throughout the Northern Hemisphere , from the Arctic part to tropical Africa . Here are some garden - worthy varieties worthy for urban stack and other common residential landscapes .
On this varlet : The Basics|Planting|Care|Choosing the Right Juniper|Pictures|Alternatives|Landscaping Tips
JUNIPER BASICS
Type:
tree diagram , bush , or groundcover
Zones:
2 - 10 , reckon on variety
Height/Spread:
Upright , spreading or tears riding habit , 6 inches to 130 foot tall and 1 to 25 fundament broad
Exposure:
Nearly all varieties do best in full sun , though some benefit from afternoon shade in hotter climates .
Color and characteristics:
Evergreen leaves have prickly needle - like unexampled growth , maturate to a drop exfoliation - like appearance . Foliage , which softens with geezerhood , come in varying hue of green , as well as blue , silver , and gold , some win bronze or other tones in wintertime . Tiny inconspicuous yellowed or green flush appear in spring . Male and female cone are both present on some varieties , making them ego - pollinating , while others occur as freestanding male and female plants , which want a partner plant life so as to achieve pollenation . distaff cones break a fleshy berry - like visual aspect , starting out green and maturing to drear , while male more intimately resemble miniature pine strobile that are yellowish or tan in coloration . Pollination time varies , with some varieties producing pollen several times a year . Female cones are redolent and used as a spiciness and for medicinal purposes , but are most often used to flavor gin . Juniper berries are also a food source for songbirds and other wildlife . The resinous fool is combustible , pass water them a poor option in area with high fire risk . Other cosmetic attributes may admit attractive bark and twisted branching .
Toxicity:
Juniper Berry , needles , and stem can be gently toxic to dog and computed tomography if eaten , though most pets will depart works alone due to the bitter taste . Ingestion is seldom if ever fatal , but can make stomach upset , vomiting , diarrhea , and ( in utmost showcase ) kidney problems . run through large amount of the berries can ensue in aborted gestation in dogs . Contact your local poison control or veterinary surgeon if your pet demonstrate any symptoms . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
When to plant:
plant life during milder months of spring or fall to deflect high temperature or cold stress .
Where to plant:
select a sunny site with well - draining soil .
How to plant:
Amend planting area with 20 % organic matter . Dig a planting maw 2 to 3 time wider than the diam of the antecedent lump and slenderly less cryptical than the rootball . taunt out ascendent if potbound , or make several slits in the rootball . Place plant in the hole with the top of the rootball slightly higher than the surrounding ground . Fill planting maw with loose grunge and pack down gently to remove air pocket , making trusted not to cover the rootball . Water soundly and again once or twice weekly until established . Spacing depends on the variety and how they are used . Allow adequate spacing to ensure good aura circulation , which will make flora less susceptible to fungal diseases .
CARE
close down - up of Montana Moss ® foliage . photograph by Proven Winners .
Pruning and deadheading:
retem involve little to no pruning so that plants retain their natural class . In other spring , cut out any dead arm , garnish back errant emergence and gently determine as necessitate . Keep up with clean pruning as new industrial plant grow to keep them compact and healthy . Severe pruning of overgrown specimens can be a problem , as old growth at the center of the plant does n’t regenerate . Cutting branches past live growth into dead zone can result in permanent barren gaps .
Soil:
Tolerant of most land type , junipers choose slightly acidic , organically full-bodied land with in effect drainage , as roots can molder in standing water .
Amendments & fertilizer:
When planted in optimum condition , junipers postulate little to no supplemental fertilizer . If desire , apply an all - purposeslow - release fertilizerin early spring . Spread fertilizer around the root zone agree to instructions and water in exhaustively .
Watering:
In most region , junipers need picayune to no supplemental pee once established . They are more potential to suffer from overwatering and ensue disease than they are from underwatering . Irrigate newly implant specimens every week or two until ascendant have developed sufficiently , and keep plants moist during extreme drought and high temperature spells .
Diseases and pests:
Although virtually carefree when planted in the correct conditions , they can be susceptible to a turn of pests and diseases if not kept hefty . worm problems includespider mites , juniper twig girdler , scale , juniper needle miner , bagworm , sawfly , and bark beetle . Diseases , which are primarily tie in with overly wet soil , too much shade , or want of strain circulation , let in sprig and tip blight , phytophthora root rotting , and cedar tree rusting . Do n’t plant near apple trees , as Retama raetam are susceptible to cedarwood - apple rust , a fungus that can damage or destruct apple Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , as well as cultivated crab apple , hawthorn , andquince .
Deer resistance:
Deer will leave them alone for the most part , due to the shrewd needles and acerbic gustatory modality , though extreme conditions can leave in cervid grazing on plants they would n’t otherwise .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT JUNIPER
With different sizes and variety to choose from , here are some tips to consider :
For borders and landscapes:
Choose varieties that will fit the musical scale of your dimension . Depending on the size and form , use as hedging , sieve , in a mixed border , as foundation planting , groundcovers or a stand - alone focal point . check that to allow room for plant to mature without becoming crowd .
For slopes and hillsides:
Mass low growers and groundcover type along a gradient or hillside for scummy - maintenance erosion control condition .
For containers:
Plant a smaller specimen or dwarf type as a stand - alone accent in a container , or combine with other evergreen plant life for class - turn entreaty .
JUNIPER VARIETIES
Photo : Proven Winners
Montana Moss ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersJuniperus chinensis
Shrub
4 - 9
broadcast wont , 2 to 4 feet magniloquent , 3 to 5 feet broad
Full Sunday
Color:
Blue - immature foliage
subdued , grim - green foliage adds a unique grain to and blends well with other colors in the garden . This shrub is well suitable for consumption as a groundcover or edging works . Prune as necessitate to control gap .
See moredwarf conifer to grow .
Tortuga ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersJuniperus communis
2 - 7
Spreading habit , 2 foot tall , 3 to 4 foot wide
Partial to full sun
Emerald - gullible foliage
A tough evergreen plant that withstands cold , passion , deer , rabbits , drouth , and can even be planted under opprobrious walnut Tree . Use this aboriginal plant as a low - mounding ground cover in sunny , well - enfeeble areas .
Gin Fizz ® , Chinese Juniper — Buy now from Proven WinnersJuniperus chinensis
4 - 8
Upright tapered habit , 10 to 18 feet tall and 7 to 10 feet encompassing at the base
greenish foliage , gloomy - green berries
Pale teal berries are produce in abundance , set off by a backdrop of mysterious unripened foliage , make this shrub a stunning stress in a mixed boundary line . The symmetrical pyramidal anatomical structure adds a formal element . Use as an attractive focal pointedness , or found in a row as a riotous hedge or screen for privacy .
picture by : Tim Ludwing / Millette Photomedia
' Blue Point ' JuniperJuniperus chinensis
tree diagram
just pyramidic use , grows 8 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 6 pes wide .
Blue - super C
institute intimately together for a undecomposed shelterbelt or filmdom from the elements . physical body entryways or line driveways or walkway . Trim into more schematic or conical shapes or leave naturally furrowed look .
Photo by : Sandy Pruden / Millette Photomedia
' Skyrocket ’ , Rocky Mountain JuniperJuniperus scopulorum
unsloped columnlike habit , 15 to 20 feet magniloquent and 2 to 3 pes wide
silvern blue - green
The minute , tapered condition is reminiscent of a rocket . The lackadaisical profane - green color and courtly form of this tree make it peculiarly suited to Mediterranean - style landscape painting .
Photo by : Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia
‘ severe ’ , Chinese JuniperJuniperus chinensis
Upright tapered habit , 15 feet tall and 3 to 5 foot wide
Dark green
A long-lasting fast - grow tree diagram that is especially valuable when planted in a row as a windbreak , privacy CRT screen , or hedge . Also grow as a spiraled topiary , popular in Mediterranean - inspired landscapes .
picture by : Spring Meadow Nursery
‘ Blue Star , ’ Singleseed JuniperJuniperus order Squamata
Dwarf spreading substance abuse , 2 to 3 feet marvelous and 3 to 4 feet across-the-board
Pale depressed - silver gray
Clusters of needle resemble stars on this slow - mature shrub , one of the good varieties for blue coloring material . The petite stature makes this a arresting container dialect and a pop pick for Asian - expressive style landscape .
Blue Rug ( syn . ‘ Wiltonii ’ ) , Creeping JuniperJuniperus horizontalis
3 - 9
go around track habit , 6 to 8 inches tall and 6 to 8 pes wide
silvern bluing
This footing - hugging bush with misrepresented leg and downcast color is attractive when meandering around Boulder . Exceptionally fearless and thrives in a wide range of conditions , including coastal sphere and mellow comeuppance . democratic inZen garden .
‘ Gold Cone ’ , Common JuniperJuniperus communis
5 - 7
Upright columnlike habit with a tapering tip , 3 to 5 foot tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
newfangled increment is bright golden , mellow somewhat in summer and fall before fade to pernicious downhearted - green in winter .
The diminutive height and narrow drug abuse make this a great pick for confined spaces . The pleasing Paris green - green coloring makes this a compelling focal point .
‘ Grey Owl ’ , Red CedarJuniperus virginiana
Open spreading habit , 2 to 3 invertebrate foot marvelous and 4 to 6 feet blanket
Silver - Zane Grey , with hints of purple during wintertime in colder climates ; silver - dispirited berries
Fine - textured feathery leafage grows in a easy arching habit , bring depth and movement to the landscape painting . Use this slow - to - restrained raiser as a ground cover , erosion mastery , a low hedge , or to delimitate a pathway .
Photo by : Bertrand Dumont / Millette Photomedia
‘ Tolleson ’s Blue Weeping ’ , Rocky Mountain JuniperJuniperus scopulorum
Upright weeping drug abuse , 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide
Silver - blue
The refined tears drug abuse makes this a good choice as a screen background specimen in a mixed margin , a focal stage in the landscape or foundation planting between windows . The shape and grain is reminiscent of a weeping willow tree .
JUNIPER ALTERNATIVES
Many conifers have pitchy sap , which can be inflammable . In areas with high fervour peril , substitute with broadleaf evergreen such as Oregon grape , boxwood , or rhododendrons .
JUNIPER LANDSCAPING TIPS
Good Vibrations ® Gold juniper , pair with Graceful Grasses ® Vertigo ® purple fountain pot and Oso felicitous ® Candy Oh ! landscape painting rose . Photo by : Proven Winners .
There are many fashion to incorporate junipers into your landscape . Here ’s how :
