Juniper - types and varieties. E-Catalog of Ornamental Garden Plants “Landscape Junipers in nature - video

Scaly juniper is an ornamental shrub that belongs to the cypress family. This species is very diverse, there are more than 10 varieties. Thanks to this, it has become widely used in landscape design - you can choose a plant to suit any environment and design style of the site.

The homeland of the scaly juniper is the mountainous regions of the island of Taiwan, China, as well as the Eastern Himalayas. Despite the fact that this shrub has high decorative qualities, it is able to survive even in rather harsh conditions. Therefore, caring for it is not difficult even for novice gardeners.

Juniper varieties

Among the variety of varieties of this shrub, the following are of greatest interest to landscape designers:

• “Blue Star” (“Blue Star”);
• "Holger";
• "Meyeri."

Let's consider the features of these varieties of scaly juniper.

Meyeri

This variety was developed in China several decades ago. Its main feature is drooping young shoots. Due to its interesting appearance, it is often used both for landscaping parks and gardens, and for growing bonsai.

The plant acquires its best aesthetic characteristics during active shoot growth, which occurs in late spring - early summer. The needles of new branches have a silvery tint.

The growth rate is up to 10 cm per year, the size of the branches of an adult shrub is up to 3-5 meters. Therefore, Meyeri is considered the largest representative of this species.

Blue Star

The homeland of this variety is Holland. It was bred in the middle of the 20th century among Meyeri bushes. A distinctive feature of “Blue Star” is the absence of drooping young shoots and the characteristic star-shaped arrangement of needles.

This juniper has a dense crown, which is formed by densely spaced silvery shoots with a large number of branches. The variety is classified as dwarf; the height of the plant rarely exceeds one meter. The crown can reach a diameter of 2.5 meters. Growth is very slow - no more than five centimeters per year.

Holger

This variety is quite similar to Meyeri - it also has spreading branches with drooping shoots. However, despite the external similarities, there are also differences between these two varieties.

Representatives of the Holger variety have a height of no more than a meter, while the width of the bush most often reaches a diameter of about one and a half meters. This dwarf variety remains one of the most noticeable among other representatives of scaly juniper due to the bright yellow color of young shoots. Mature branches have the same silvery tint as Meyeri’s.

Thanks to these external features, Holger is perfect both as part of a group of plants and planted separately. This variety helps purify the surrounding air. Even in the presence of a large amount of impurities in the atmosphere, it is able to have a disinfecting effect on it.

In addition to these varieties, there are a large number of other plant varieties that are not as remarkable as those listed above: “Blue Carpet”, “Golden Flame”; "Dream Joy" and others.

Planting seedlings

Junipers are light-loving shrubs. Therefore, they should be planted in open areas of the garden. It is best to choose places with sandy loam or loamy light soil. It should be moderately moisturized and have sufficient nutrients.

In cases where the soil on the site is heavy and clayey, it is necessary to add a mixture of peat, garden soil and sand to it. This mixture may also include coniferous soil - soil that is collected from under coniferous plants in the forest and contains needles and other organic impurities.

Crumbs of white brick or sand should be poured down the planting hole. This makes it possible to create conditions for soil drainage. Despite the fact that the shrub can grow in fairly poor soils, excess moisture will lead to its death.

The optimal soil mixture for juniper is considered to be one that includes:

• two parts each of humus, turf soil and peat;
• one - sand.

You can also add 150 g of Kemira-universal fertilizer to this mixture, along with 300 g of nitrophoska. To increase the survival rate, you can sprinkle the growth regulator Epin under all seedlings.

Depending on the width of the root system of the shrub, the volume of the planting hole is selected. For example, for large varieties, you should dig holes measuring 60 by 80 cm. Planting should be done quickly to prevent the root system from drying out. Care must be taken when doing this, as the delicate roots of juniper are easily damaged. Immediately after planting, the plant should be watered generously and covered with material to protect it from direct sunlight.

The distance between the bushes is selected depending on the composition. Typically it is in the range from 0.5 to 2 meters. If the area is small, then it is better to choose small-sized varieties of juniper, which can be planted at a short distance from each other.

Growing from seeds

Those who decide to collect juniper seeds themselves should do this at the end of summer. In this case, they will not be fully mature, but germination is more likely. Planting should be done immediately after collecting the seeds. The first shoots will appear only after 2-3 years. This is due to the presence of a dense shell in the seeds.

It takes quite a lot of time to grow an adult shrub using this method. This method does not have any advantages over planting seedlings. Therefore, it is better to simply plant a juniper bush dug out in the forest. In order for it to quickly take root in a new place, it should be dug up with a large lump of earth in which a layer of humus remains. It is also necessary to remember how it was oriented in relation to the cardinal points, and plant it on the site in the same way.

Fertilizer use

If, before planting, the variety most adapted to the local climate was correctly selected, the shrub will grow well without the need to use large amounts of fertilizing.

During drought, it is enough to water it in the proper amount and add nitrogen fertilizers to it three times a season.

It is prohibited to use cow or poultry humus for fertilizer. When it is added to the soil, the roots of coniferous plants are damaged. You also need to avoid loosening the soil around the bush - since the root system is located on the surface of the soil, this will lead to its damage and the gradual death of the plant. Instead, it is better to mulch the soil annually with coniferous soil from the forest.

Winter care

Due to the fallen snow, the branches of the juniper may break, and the formed crowns may disintegrate. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to tie them in the fall. If the plant is sensitive to daily temperature changes, it should be covered with protective material in the winter-spring period.

This will also help prevent sunburn, due to which the crown acquires a yellowish tint and loses its decorative properties.

You should pay attention to juniper buds. If they remain healthy under the influence of frost, then young shoots will grow from them over time. If this does not happen, they should be treated with garden varnish, having previously been trimmed.

At the end of the summer period and in the spring, you need to water the juniper in a timely manner and apply the necessary fertilizing. It is also useful to spray its branches with a solution of microfertilizers. This will allow you to maintain the bright color of the needles even in winter.

To cover the bush in the cold season, you can use not only protective material, but also:

• snow - suitable for small-sized plants, creeping varieties. For shelter you just need to throw snow on the branches. Additionally, it is better to make a protective frame that will prevent damage to the bush during heavy snowfall;
• spruce branches - they are attached to the branches in the form of tiers from bottom to top;
• screen - allows you to protect the juniper from strong winds and bright light. Therefore, it is installed on the most brightly lit side of the planting.

As for covering materials, it is not recommended to use lutrasil, since the sun's rays pass through it. Also, cardboard boxes should not be used for this purpose. According to many gardeners, the best material for covering is considered to be metallized insulation, which is used when laying laminate flooring. In October, before the soil freezes, you need to drive pegs around the bush, and then wrap it with a substrate in December.

Pests and diseases

Juniper, even in unfavorable conditions for it, is rarely susceptible to various diseases. But, if under certain conditions the bush becomes sick, the cause is usually a fungal infection.

The most common diseases of juniper are:

• fusarium;
• juniper rust;
• drying out of branches;
• Alternaria blight;
• brown shutte.

To prevent diseases, you should follow the technique and conditions for planting shrubs, and choose high-quality planting material for this. It is also necessary, if damage appears on the branches, to cut them off and treat the wounds with a solution of 1% copper sulfate, cover them with garden varnish or oil paints.

To combat fungi, you can use the following products: Gamair, Alirin-B, Fitosporin-M. They should be diluted in water and the soil around the bush should be watered with the resulting solution. For treatment and prevention, you can spray the plant with a 0.2% solution of Fundazol.

Scaly juniper is a shrub that can be used to decorate any garden. Thanks to its unpretentiousness, even inexperienced gardeners can grow this plant. If all required preventive measures are observed, juniper will not be susceptible to pests and will retain its aesthetic properties.

Video review of juniper varieties

E-Catalogue of ornamental plants for garden “Landscape” - decorative coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials

Are you looking for a useful and valid basis for your design work for landscaping your garden, parks, urban landscaping, etc.? Then the online catalog of ornamental garden plants on the Landscape website is what you need. The e-catalogue of ornamental garden plants “Landscape” is an indispensable assistant; here you will find not only an extremely wide range of plants for a wide variety of growing conditions, but also receive a lot of other information. The e-catalog of ornamental plants for the garden “Landscape” is a practical guide to available ornamental plants on the Ukrainian market. The online catalog of ornamental plants for the “Landscape” garden is constantly updated and replenished with new garden ornamental plants.

For designers, site owners, and people who are in love with plants and gardens, the online catalog “Landscape” is an accessible and popular guide to help in choosing plants for the garden. We tried to describe all the features and characteristics of the plants; all plants are illustrated with photographs showing the shape or characteristic features of the plants. The descriptions of the presented plants are simple and clear, interesting short practical tips, contain basic information regarding plant characteristics, soil requirements, lighting and frost resistance, care recommendations and possible use or arrangement with other species. Additional and very useful information is contained in the silhouette of a plant in adulthood with a human figure, which allows you to imagine the future size and shape of an adult plant, making it possible to immediately select the right plants for the garden.

The e-catalog of ornamental garden plants “Landscape” uses international standards for writing plant names. First of all, we use Latin names to avoid ambiguity, as well as Russian names and synonyms. This will allow you to quickly find the manufacturer of the plant you are interested in.

Climate influence and frost resistance

A winter hardiness zone is a region in which a certain plant species, as a rule, still tolerates winters well, in other words, the region where its cultural range begins. It is important to understand that the frost resistance of plants depends on many factors; all data on climatic zones of winter hardiness are only approximate. Within one zone, the microclimate of some regions may differ significantly from the given data. For example, urban areas are usually half a step warmer than the surrounding landscape. Large bodies of water, areas, as well as slopes and hilltops have a positive effect on the climate, while unfavorable conditions prevail in depressions and valleys.

The climate zone number is indicated under each plant description in the catalog, indicating the degree of its resistance to low temperatures - the lower the zone number, the more frost-resistant the plant. Plants can often grow in regions of five or more climate zones. A plant from zone 2 can usually grow without problems in zones 3,4,5,6,7 and possibly also in zones 8 and 9. These zone recommendations are based on the availability of optimal conditions for each individual plant and do not take into account snow protection . Information about climate zones of frost resistance is also a hint on how to cover plants for the winter.

Map of winter hardiness zones of Ukraine

Winter hardiness zones and their ranges of average annual minimum temperatures

Abbreviations:

Luxurious junipers of emerald, blue, dark green or golden yellow color, various shapes and sizes, unpretentious and frost-resistant - the favorite ornamental coniferous plants. It is impossible to imagine a modern garden plot without these lush evergreen trees or shrubs that exude the scent of forest freshness, beautiful at any time of the year and in any environment.

If you have not yet chosen what type of coniferous trees and shrubs to plant in the garden, use the article “”, which will help you decide.

The best types and varieties

The diversity of species, amazing plasticity, ability to withstand heavy pruning, versatility of use in landscaping, sustainability and ease of cultivation have become the reasons for the unprecedented popularity of junipers and prompted breeders to develop remarkable varieties and hybrid forms.

Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

A spreading shrub or large tree, reaching a height of 10 m, pyramidal, spreading or creeping shape with narrow prickly needles and reddish-brown bark. Depending on the type of development and appearance, there are quite a few forms and variations, in particular, the following are popular:

• suecica – the crown is formed in the form of a wide column, the ends of the shoots hang down;
• compressa – up to 1 m high, narrow, columnar crown;
• pendula – spreading with a weeping crown;
• hibernica – slender, columnar, branches directed upwards.

The species is resistant to dust and air pollution and is successfully grown in urban environments. Grows well on poor sandy and rocky soils. More than a hundred varieties have been bred, and wild varieties are also attractive.

Green Carpet

The creeping, low-growing variety was obtained from a shrub discovered on the Norwegian coast at the end of the last century. The shoots and branches are directed horizontally, the crown is dense, and generally looks round. An adult plant reaches 15–30 cm in height, growing in diameter to 1.5–2.0 m.

The emerald, bright needles acquire a rich green color over time. Development is slow, the variety works well as a ground cover plant, and sparse partial shade is acceptable when placed.

Gold Cone

A spectacular German variety with a crown in the form of a narrow column or pyramid. It grows up to 2–3 m in height and up to 60 cm in width, develops quickly, and gives growth of up to 15–20 cm per year. The branches are directed obliquely upward, the ends of the shoots puff up, making the plant look slightly disheveled, which gives it charm.

In spring and early summer, the ends of the shoots turn yellowish, later the needles turn green, and in winter they acquire a creamy-brown tint. The variety gives plantings a sunny accent and is successfully used to create groups on the lawn, design rockeries and paths.

Sentinel or Pencil Point

A stunning variety of Canadian selection with a narrow columnar or pyramidal crown resembles a thin pencil, the similarity is enhanced by the pointed tip. A ten-year-old tree reaches a height of 1.5 m and a diameter of about 30 cm. Due to the branches pressed to the trunk and directed upward, the crown looks molded and even.

Small needle-shaped needles of rich green color or with a slight bluish tint are not inclined to turn brown in winter. Sentinel looks great as a tapeworm near rocky hills, near lush conifers, or when planted in groups of three plants.

The robust species is considered the most resistant to unfavorable conditions, drought and air pollution, and develops well when planted along city avenues with busy traffic or in a factory area.

It is a creeping, spreading shrub that grows up to 1.5 m in height and reaches enormous sizes in diameter - 6–8 meters or more. The crown is spreading, the branches rise at the ends. The needles are dark green in color, of two varieties - needle-like in young plants and scale-like in adults. When planting, it should be taken into account that the needles and fruits are toxic.

Blue Donau

A remarkably showy plant whose name translates as “Blue Danube”. A medium-sized shrub with spreading shoots, by the age of ten it grows no more than 1 m in height and about 1.5 m in diameter. In the future, it can grow up to 3 m in width, which is important to take into account when planning planting. The shoots are directed horizontally or obliquely upward.

Development is rapid, shoots give growth of about 20 cm per year. The needles have a beautiful bluish tone, with a strong scent; in winter they acquire a green or bluish, sometimes lilac tone. Recommended as a textural and color component of rocky gardens; it looks wonderful in single plantings, when planted along alleys or near columnar dark conifers.

Tamariscifolia or Tamaris (Tamariscifolia)

The most popular Cossack juniper takes on a dome-shaped shape when mature. The crown reaches a height of 1 m and a diameter of up to 2 m. The shoots are located horizontally or obliquely upward, partially overlapping each other like tiles, forming a dense, dense cover.

The needles are abundant, needle-like, light green in color with a bluish tinge. Tamaris grows well on any soil and is suitable for planting in unsuitable areas, landscaping rocky areas and slopes.

Juniper horizontalis (Juniperus horizontalis)

It is a low shrub pressed to the ground with creeping flexible shoots and many small side branches. The needles are bluish-green or pure green, scaly and needle-like, and in winter they take on a burgundy hue. The wild variety is common on the sandy slopes of rivers and hills of the North American continent. More than 60 varieties have been obtained, the standard forms are spectacular.

Golden Carpet

The yellow-colored Golden Carpet is a sport of the famous low-growing variety Wiltonii with blue needles. A bright decorative creeping juniper with a flat crown formed from lodging branches, the side shoots are shortened and pointed upward. Development is slow, the height of an adult plant is up to 30 cm, with a diameter of about 1.5 m. The needles are small, sharp, often needle-type, yellowish-green in color; on the current year’s growths they are golden-yellow, turning green with the onset of cold weather.

Thin shoots lying on loose soil take root over time, strengthening and nourishing the plant, forming an attractive golden carpet that suppresses weeds. Sport is used as a ground cover plant, to secure loose slopes, grafted onto a standard, and planted among tall perennials.

Ice Blue

A magnificent blue horizontal juniper that grows as a creeping shrub with lodging flexible shoots pressed to the ground. Forms a dense carpet that flows around obstacles and falls in waves from hills, causing genuine admiration. The height is about 10–15 cm, the crown grows up to 2 m in diameter. Small branches grow in abundance, directed obliquely upward.

The needles are soft, scale-like, greenish with a bright blue tint; in winter they acquire a purple tone. The shrub is grown as a ground cover and looks great on the slopes of large rocky hills, among columnar conifers, weeping dwarf birches and rowan trees.

Medium or Fitzer's juniper (Juniperus x pfitzeriana)

It is a hybrid obtained by crossing the Cossack and Chinese species, and is a male clone. A strong shrub grows up to 3 m in height and more than 5 m in diameter. The shoots ascend obliquely and hang down at the ends. The needles are predominantly needle-shaped, scaly on young growths. Low creeping or spreading forms are common in culture.

Mint Julep

The most popular variety was developed in the USA; the name translates as “Mint Cocktail”. The low shrub develops quickly, reaching 1 m in height and 2.5–3 m in diameter. Long branches directed to the sides or at an upward oblique angle form a flattened, wide crown. The needles are scaly, bright green.

Side branches and ascending shoots puff up and give the plant a tousled appearance, which looks natural and adds texture to the landscape. Mint Julep is good when planted in groups, in mixborders, for forming hedges.

King of Spring

A compact shrub, the crown is formed by branches directed horizontally and then obliquely upward. By the age of ten it grows to 30–50 cm in height and 1.2 m in diameter. The needles are yellowish-green, needle-shaped and scaly. The current year's growths are delicate, refined, bright yellow, stand out on the surface of the crown and give it an attractive fluffy appearance.

With its brightness and spectacular contrast of the green center of the bush and the outer golden shoots, this little “king of spring” can outshine not only other conifers, but also flowering perennials.

Scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata)

A remarkable species native to the mountainous areas of East Asia, it is a tree up to 3 m high or a prostrate (creeping) shrub. The needles are sharp, lanceolate, curved, dark green in color, silvery on top.

Dream Joy

It develops at an average pace, by the age of ten it reaches 60 cm in height and more than 1.2 m in width. Shoots grow by 10–15 cm per year. The crown is dense, regular cushion-shaped. The branches are multidirectional, arched, drooping at the ends. Sharp needle-type needles, dark, bluish-green. Young growths of a fresh yellowish-green hue contrast effectively with the general background.

Blue Star

A rounded shrub up to 1 m high and up to 1.5 m wide. It develops slowly, growing 3–5 cm per year. The main advantage is the compact, tightly knit blue crown of an irregular cushion shape. The main branches are numerous and directed upward. The lateral branches are short, densely covered with needle-shaped blue needles. This year's growths are silvery-blue and light. This is an amazing variety for rocky hills and mixed borders.

Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

In nature it grows as a tall tree with a crown in the shape of a pyramid or column; in natural conditions it grows above 10 m; it is common in China and Japan. The needles are scaly or needle-shaped, rich green in color. It grows better in nutritious, sufficiently moist soils. More than 60 varieties have been bred; both variations with a smooth, dense crown and ruffled ones with multidirectional branches are attractive. Hybrid bicolor Chinese junipers are very good.

Stricta

A beautiful slender variety of Dutch selection was obtained in 1945. Young plants are characterized by a narrow columnar or pyramidal crown, the apex is pointed. Development is slow - up to 5–8 cm of growth per year. Over time, the crown expands, becomes more voluminous, an adult plant reaches 2–3 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter.

The lateral branches are numerous, dense, and directed obliquely upward. The needles are needle-shaped, attractive bluish-green in color, the lower part of the needles are silvery. In winter it takes on a brownish tint.

Plumosa

An unusual hybrid of Chinese and medium-sized junipers, with spreading, side-directed branches arranged in an inverted arch, causing the crown to take the shape of a crown or funnel. The plants are low - up to 1.5 m, with an inclined, shortened main stem and obliquely ascending branches. The side branches are outstretched and drooping. The needles are scaly, thick green in color.

In England, a beautiful hybrid form of Plumosa Aurea was obtained, growing no higher than 1 m. The needles are a striking golden-yellow hue, which is especially attractive in early spring. This slow growing plant is suitable for cultivation.

Virginia juniper (Juniperus virginiana)

In nature, the species is distributed in the mountainous areas of North America. Powerful plants reach 20 m and form a pyramidal crown, which becomes more and more spreading over the years. The needles are dark, green, needle-shaped and scaly.

Gray Owl

The Dutch variety, translated as “Grey Owl”, was obtained by breeders in 1938. This is a wonderful lush shrub with an original flattened crown of irregular shape. The skeletal branches are directed horizontally and raised, the lateral thin branches are lowered down. By the age of ten it grows no higher than 1.5 m, reaching 3 m in diameter.

The needles are mostly scaly, of a beautiful bluish-blue color; at the ends of young shoots they are silvery; in winter they acquire a brownish tint. In general, the shrub gives the impression of lightness, with its thin arched branches and graceful light needles.

Canaertii

The variety was obtained in Belgium at the end of the 19th century; it is a tall tree with a narrow pyramidal shape. It develops quickly, adult plants in favorable conditions grow up to 5 m and higher. The initially dense, dense crown loosens over time. The branches are directed upward, the scaly needles of a lush green color turn yellowish-brown in winter.

Young plants are decorated with sophisticated light shoots that extend obliquely from the crown and hang down at the ends. Round blue cones with a white coating, appearing in abundance on the branches of mature shrubs, make them even more attractive.

Rock juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)

A large tree up to 10–15 m high or a spreading dense shrub, it grows naturally on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The crown is narrowly pyramidal, the branches are vertically directed, growing low from the ground itself, densely covering the trunk. The needles are needle-shaped and scaly, bluish-green. It is unpretentious to the soil, but can freeze in winter, the branches are fragile, break off during heavy snowfalls, and in the spring, tender growths can get burned.

Moonglow

A bright blue variety with an attractive rounded crown that takes on a pyramidal shape with age. It develops quickly, produces increments of up to 20 cm, growing up to 6 m in height and up to 2.5 m in width. The needles are grayish-blue, bright, with silvery young shoots.

Excellent for growing hedges, looks impressive in group planting. The variegated variety Moonglow Variegate is decorated with creamy twigs that tend to freeze in winter.

Skyrocket

A slender tree with a columnar crown and a pointed top by the age of ten grows up to 3.0 m in height and about 0.7 m in diameter. The skeletal branches and numerous lateral branches fit tightly and are directed vertically.

The needles are scaly, bluish-blue in color, small. This resistant variety was discovered in natural conditions in 1949 and quickly became extremely popular due to its dense crown of regular shape and unpretentiousness.

The small shrub is common in the Far East, China and Western Siberia. The skeletal branches are directed horizontally, spread out and raised at the ends. The needles are green, needle-shaped, with whitish-gray stripes; on young growths they are scale-like, soft, and blunt. In winter it is prone to browning.

The cone berries are dark blue, with a bluish coating. The plant is stable, spectacular, decorative varieties have been obtained, which are sometimes mistaken for varieties of a closely related species - Chinese juniper.

The tall tree is common in natural conditions in China, Japan, Korea, and the Far East, and is a rare species. It grows in height up to 8–10 m. The crown is pyramidal, dense, loose in female specimens, formed by ascending spreading skeletal branches with hanging lateral branches.

The needles are emerald-colored, mostly needle-shaped, hard, and prickly. The species is suitable for solitary plantings, looks impressive with a weeping crown shape, and has long been used for growing bonsai.

The species is distributed in the northern regions of Eurasia, in the tundra and mountainous areas, and is similar in appearance to common juniper. A low-growing plant 0.5–1 m high, the branches are creeping, sometimes raised. The needles are pointed, curved, up to 0.8 cm long, juicy green with a white stripe.

The branches are decorated with fleshy purple cones covered with a bluish coating. Suitable for group plantings and rock gardens. Unpretentious, resistant to frosty winters.

Originally from Japan, a creeping, dense shrub with a dense crown grows up to 30 cm in height. Forms thick, extensive green carpets with a diameter of up to 3–4 m. Lateral branches grow in abundance and are directed upward.

The needles are needle-shaped, green, with white spots at the base. In cultivation, it is more common in Japan, used as a ground cover plant, grafted onto a trunk, and also grown as a bonsai.

Groups of junipers by appearance and growth rate

Numerous types of junipers differ in appearance and in the rate of crown growth. Often within the same species there can be both creeping and tall plants, which depends on the growing conditions, belonging to the subspecies or hybrid form.

Thanks to the efforts of breeders, typically tall species can be represented by medium-sized or even dwarf varieties. Below are grouped some common types and varieties of junipers depending on the height of the plants, the direction of growth of the branches, the pace of development and the color of the needles.

Horizontal:

• M. horizontal,
• M. Daursky,
• M. Kozatsky,
• M. medium,
• M. Sargent,
• M. vulgare (Depressa, Greenmantl, Vase).

Vertical:

• M. virginsky,
• M. Chinese,
• M. rocky,
• M. hard,
• M. spiny,
• M. tall,
• M. vulgare (Gold Cone, Arnold, Sentinel).

Tall (height of species plants):

• M. virginian (up to 20 m),
• M. rocky (up to 10–12 m),
• M. hard (up to 8–10 m),
• M. spiny (up to 5–10 m),
• M. chinensis (up to 10–15 m),
• M. ordinary (up to 8–12 m),
• M. tall (up to 10–15 m).

Creeping:

• M. horizontal,
• M. recumbent,
• M. crowded or coastal,
• M. squamosus,
• M. Sargent,
• M. vulgare (Green Carpet, Repanda).

Dwarf:

• M. virginiana (Globosa, Golden Spring),
• M. sinensis (Expansa and its forms),
• M. recumbent (Nana),
• M. common (Compressa, Constans Franklin),
• M. medium (King of Spring),
• M. horizontal (Andorra Variegata, Andorra Compact),
• M. scaly (Blue Star, Dream Joy),
• M. siberian.

Columnar:

• M. virginiana (Glauca),
• M. chinensis (Obelisk, Keteleeri),
• M. common (Constans Franklin, Columnaris, Sentinel),
• M. rocky (Sky Rocket, Blue Arrow).

Fast growing:

• M. virginiana (Glauca, Canaertii, Hetz),
• M. medium (Mint Julep),
• M. cossack (Rockery Gem, Hicksii, Blaue Donau),
• M. chinensis (Obelisk, Spartan),
• M. horizontal (Bar Harbor),
• M. common (Gold Cone),
• M. rocky (Moonglow, Skyrocket).

Blue:

• M. scaly (Blue Star, Blue Carpet),
• M. crowded (Blue Pacific),
• M. rocky (Blue Heaven, Moonglow, Blue Arrow),
• M. vulgare (Sterling Silver),
• M. horizontal (Blue Chip, Blue Forest, Icee Blue),
• M. chinensis (Blue Alps),
• M. medium (Hetzii),
• M. cossack (Blue Donau).

Video about the variety of types and varieties of juniper

Universal junipers, in all their variety of shapes, sizes and colors, find wide application in landscaping. Tall plants decorate parks, alleys and gardens. Columnar junipers, directed upward, have no equal as vertical landscape elements that expand space.

Medium-sized and low-growing varieties are surprisingly decorative in the design of a personal plot - near a rocky hill and lawn, in solitary planting and in groups, as living multi-colored carpets and textured accents in a mixborder.

Description

Meyeri's juniper (Juniperus squamata Meyeri) is a coniferous evergreen shrub beloved by gardeners and landscape designers. The popularity of the variety is due to the elegance of the crown and the original color of the needles: obliquely located branches with hanging silver-blue ends inspire people who are passionate about gardening to create unique landscape compositions. The shrub is especially beautiful during the period of active growth (late May - June). The growth rate is average (10 cm per year), the shoots are straight, the branches are short. An adult plant can reach 2-5m in height. The fruits are dark blue with a waxy coating of cones. Often used as a plant to create Bonsai.

Planting and caring for juniper scaly Meieri

It is better to plant juniper in sunny places, slight shading is allowed. The distance between planted plants is from 0.5 to 2 m, depending on the size. The planting hole should be 2-3 times larger than the earthen ball and up to 70 cm deep for adult plants. At the bottom of the hole, make a drainage layer of sand or broken brick about 20 cm thick. When planting, it is important that the root collar is not buried.

Junipers prefer soil with a slightly acidic to neutral reaction (see). The soil mixture is made in a 2:1:1 ratio from peat, sand and turf soil, respectively. After planting, the plant needs to be watered abundantly for a week.

In dry summers it needs to be watered. Junipers do not tolerate dry air well, so it is advisable to sprinkle regularly. Fertilizers are applied once a year in the spring at the end of April or in May (nitroammofoska, Kemira-universal, etc.). Young plants need shallow loosening.

For the winter, the plants are sprinkled with peat with a layer thickness of 10 cm, and the young plants are covered with spruce branches. Columnar varieties may suffer from heavy snowfalls, so in the fall the branches are pressed to the trunk with tape or rope (see,).

Scaly juniper is a squat evergreen conifer with a spreading crown, from the Cypress family. The natural habitat is the mountainous territories of China, the Eastern Himalayas and the island of Taiwan. The plant also adapts well to Russian latitudes. It is valued in gardening for its ease of care, frost resistance and decorativeness. In landscape design they are used to create various compositions. Thick greenish-gray needles, forming a spectacular crown, will become a worthy decoration of any personal plot.

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Description

Scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata) can rightfully be classified as a long-living conifer, since its life cycle is oriented at 600 years. Compared to other types, the dimensions are average. Presented in the form of a low shrub, with woody shoots spreading and creeping along the ground. The branches are characterized by abundant branching. The leaves are hard, needle-like needles 8–10 mm long, exuding a persistent aroma. The color is bluish-green above, and deeper green below.

It grows slowly, does not cross the border of 1.5 m. The annual increase in height and width is about 1 cm. In the second year of life, approximately in May, small oval cones 7–8 cm in size appear. As they ripen, they change color from greenish to scarlet to purple-black. In winter, the needles darken and fall off, the bark cracks, and old shoots die.

Species diversity

Scaly juniper, as well as multiple varieties and hybrids, are popular with garden designers. This is due to the beautiful coniferous crown, which fits perfectly into any group plantings.

The most popular decorative varieties of juniper are presented in the table:

Name	Description	Photo
Blue Carpet	A fast-growing variety of juniper, at the age of 10 years it reaches a height of about 0.6 m. It is distinguished by a creeping gray-blue crown with drooping branches. Winters well in open ground, loves a lot of light, but does not suffer much from shading. Grows in any soil, does not tolerate dampness. Suitable for growing in pots. Used in decorating rocky gardens, loggias and terraces
Golden Flame	A squat shrub with a spreading crown. The needles are predominantly green, with individual inclusions of cream color. Suitable for growing in central regions, but recommended for the area southwest of St. Petersburg, where winters are milder. It grows quite slowly, is light-loving, and unpretentious to the soil. Needs moderate watering, without stagnation of water. Used in garden landscaping, ideal for creating alpine slides. Dried needles remain on the shoots for several years, which can spoil the decorative appearance. Despite this, it is considered one of the most beautiful representatives of the species
Floreant	An extraordinary variety with a greenish-yellow coniferous crown. Moreover, the yellowness is not based on the tips, but is scattered chaotically throughout the bush. The plant is classified as a dwarf plant - it is no more than 1 m tall. It grows up to two meters wide
Loderi	The plant forms a pin-shaped, elongated-pointed crown with raised shoots. Outwardly they resemble small Christmas trees. They grow no more than 1.5 m in height and 0.9–1 m in width. The foliage is needle-shaped small needles, bluish-green in color. In the second year, the needles turn brown and dry out. At the age of ten they grow up to 0.8 m. The trunk is covered with gray-cream bark. The culture is thermophilic, prefers a lot of light, but there will be no harm from shading. Does not tolerate drought
Blue Spider	An evergreen conifer with a blue needle-shaped crown. Spreading at an early age, then compactly gathers into fluffy bushes with slightly hanging shoots. At 10 years old it reaches a height of 0.5 m, with a diameter of 1.5 m. The maximum possible height is 1.5 m and 2.5 m in girth. The needles are flattened, needle-shaped, bluish-blue, and covered with a gray coating in winter. The cones are dark blue with a metallic sheen. The bushes do not require shaping, watering is moderate. Light-loving, does not tolerate even light shading, and is frost-resistant. The soil is preferably loose and fertile, but with good care it can grow on depleted rocky and sandy soil. Long-lived, suitable for urban environments
Holger	Spreading bushes, 0.8–1 m high. Valued for their unusual decorative appearance: a combination of silver-green needles and yellowness at the tips of the shoots. It tolerates winter cold well and does not suffer from growing in the shade. Despite this, the best growth is observed under the sun. Prefers moderate watering, without stagnation. Landscape designers use it in compositions with perennial crops. It looks no less impressive in rockeries, against a rocky background. Suitable for decorating terraces and balconies
Meyeri (Meyeri)	The most popular plant among gardeners, due to its beautiful decorative forms. Creeping bushes from 30 cm to 1 m in length. The shoots are hanging, densely covered with needle-like soft needles, bluish-green in color with a bluish bloom. Winter hardiness is average; shelter from sub-zero temperatures is required. Does not tolerate heavy soil. Looks great in landscaping roofs, facades, loggias. Widely used in topiary art
Dream Joy (Dream Joy)	Very beautiful coniferous compact shrubs with bright yellow tops on a green background. As they grow older, the shoots become covered with a bluish coating. The crown is squat, grows 110–120 cm in width, and 70–80 cm in height. For this crop, select the most illuminated place in the garden, with loose and fertile soil. In group plantings, it is preferable to place them on the leading ground so that the bushes do not get lost among their larger neighbors.
Blue Star	A shrub with slow growth, maximum height is 0.5–1 m. The crown is dense, dense, spherical, with drooping shoots. Coniferous composition of rich blue color with a bluish haze. Sometimes the impression of a metallic sheen is created, which is caused by white stripes. Cold-resistant, shade-tolerant, but prefers plenty of light. Easily adapts to any climatic conditions and soils. Ideal as a ground cover for landscaping in garden plots, and also suitable for creating other compositions
Blue Swede	It is distinguished by its spectacular silver or greenish-blue coniferous component, down-to-earth crown and drooping shoots. Relatively winter-hardy, needs shelter. Undemanding to the composition of the soil, it grows even on poor soils. Tolerates shade. From the category of medium-sized junipers, in 10 years of growth it does not exceed the bar of 50 cm in height. But it grows 2.5 m in width. It is characterized by a change in the color of the needles in winter - it becomes gray with a steel tint. Suitable for designing city parks, as it is immune to air pollution
Hunnetorp	It is especially popular among gardeners in Central Europe and Scandinavia. An evergreen conifer with a slow growth rate. It has a compact crown and small needle-like needles, greenish-silver in color. According to some sources, it is a variety of Blue Sweet



Landing

Scaly juniper, like most species, is planted in an area where there is a lot of light. In the shade, an oblique crown with a loose structure is formed. Only the common juniper tolerates shading tolerably, which does not cause significant harm to it. Due to the fragile root system, seedlings are transferred to open ground using a transshipment method - they capture the roots along with a large lump of earth. The interval between large plantings is 2 m, for smaller plantings - 0.5–1 m.

Description of the cucumber variety German F1, planting and care in open ground

Care

The plant is quite unpretentious in care and easily adapts to any environmental conditions.. Agrotechnical activities are kept to a minimum, namely:

• Water rarely; even in extreme heat, two or three moistenings are sufficient throughout the entire growing season. Up to 30 liters of water is poured under each adult bush.
• After the spill, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed. After this, add a mulch layer (bark, peat or sawdust) so that moisture from the soil does not evaporate so intensely.
• Sprinkling can be done daily, only in the evening or early in the morning. Then the leaves will not get sunburn.
• During midday hours, it is recommended to protect plantings from direct sunlight. There is a need for such protection in early spring, when the first rays can cause no less harm.
• Pruning is carried out carefully so as not to remove good shoots and not spoil the shape of the crown. Since juniper grows rather slowly, it will take a long time to recover. It is recommended to wear protective gloves when working, as the sap of the plant causes skin irritation.

Adult bushes do not need protective shelter for the winter, but it would be useful to mulch young ones and cover them with any covering material. The following year they will no longer resort to such a measure.

Reproduction

Propagation of juniper is possible in two ways: seed and vegetative. The first option is not used so often due to the impossibility of maintaining the original decorative indicators. Seeds are collected from ripened cones, which are formed on female bushes, in August - September. The sex of the plant is recognized visually: in male specimens the crown is narrowed, columnar or elliptical in shape, while in female specimens it is loose and spreading.

As the fruits ripen, their color changes: first they are green, then purple-black, with a bluish tinge. The berries taste bitter, with a spicy aroma. They contain three seeds inside. The extracted material is stratified before sowing. It is better to plant them in separate boxes in the fall and then bury them in the snow for the entire winter period. Then the seeds will undergo natural preparation by cold. In May, the seeds are completely ready for planting in open ground; only seedlings will appear the next year.

Decorative varieties of juniper are propagated exclusively by cuttings. The most successful period for this is the end of April - May. Annual shoots are cut from an adult plant, at least eight years old. Cuttings 10–15 cm long from the blanks are cut. The lower part is cleared of needles, about 5 cm. The cuttings should have a “heel” - a piece of old bark. The cuttings are immersed in a solution of a growth stimulator for a day, and only after that they are rooted in a peat-sand mixture.

Cover with film or a glass cap to create a greenhouse microclimate. Further care is standard: moisturizing through spraying and removing condensate that accumulates inside. After 30–40 days, young roots sprout. By the end of June, fully rooted pieces are moved to the garden bed. In winter, it is recommended to cover young people with spruce branches. They are grown in this way for about two to three years, and only then are they transplanted to a permanent place.

Diseases and pests

Most often, juniper bushes are affected by rust. Of the harmful insects, spider mites, juniper moths, aphids and scale insects are dangerous. Treatment with Fitoverm (dilute 2 g per 1 liter of water), which is applied once every 10–14 days, helps get rid of aphids. In the same way, moths are removed - with Decisa (2.5 g per 10 l of water), from ticks - Karate (55 g per 10 l), scale insects - Warbofos (65–70 g per 10 l). To eliminate any signs of rust, the bushes are sprayed with an arceride solution every ten days.