Few plants generate more revulsion in the garden than retem . The bare suggestion of planting one often musters a similar response to that of saying a cheating word . Maybe we ’ve develop weary of their use as evergreenblobs in fundament plantings . Perhaps the thought ofmeticulously shear them into the utter frame soundsdaunting ( see pruning wind ) . It could be an former memory of an itchy rash froman up - close encounter with a juniper ’s prickly branches . Or it could be boredom with the ocean of creeping downhearted rugjunipers ( Juniperus horizontalis‘Wiltonii ’ , Zones 3–9 ) engraft in every bighearted - box - store parking lot . Although retem are a midcentury - New garden raw material , coevals of gardeners have since decide they have had enough of these controversial conifers . While it ’s gentle to dismiss them for their deeplyingrained negative trait , juniper have many merits that make them worth rethink .
They’re durable and an invaluable resource for wildlife
In an ever - change man with an unpredictable futurity , people now more than ever are concerned with the roleplants play in the ecology of their gardens . With over a dozen species native to North America , retem can be a natural , superhero plant option . Many magnetic backyard birds have intercourse and even reckon on junipers . Their berries ( fleshy cone shape ) are a favorite for warblers , cardinals , eastern bluebird , and many others . Not only are the berries tasty , but they are also crucial wintertime nutrient sources when most other plants are hibernating . These evergreens allow for protection from bitter cold and strong winds , while the setaceous leaf is a perfect place for a bastioned nest . If you are count to increase doll natural process and habitat in the garden , junipers are a top choice . SeeBerry - Producing Plants for the Birds
Junipers are legion to rafts of insect coinage , includingvarious caterpillars , rightful microbe , and mallet . Such insects organize the cornerstone of thegarden food for thought chain , pull in good predatory insects as well as fend for insectivorousbirds , frogs , and small mammalian . While these insects do go through thejuniper ’s leaf and sap , few of them cause any real aesthetic damage or inflict hurt on the plant .
| JUNIPER FACTS |
What makes junipers so special?
Many of the knocker of junipers lose sight of their many good and ecologically crucial qualities . Yes , they are prickly and command gloves to manage in some typesetter’s case . But this adaptation is for good reason . Wet springs , drouth , and abrasive winter that jeopardise otherwoody plant do n’t rag junipers . They are dauntless plants that make it through most mood stipulation with only a piddling help . Below are some of the traits that make juniper bush as a group so incredible .
Benefits of growing junipers
With all of these marvelous benefit , it ’s hard to believe that juniper are still the smutty sheep of theconifer earthly concern . With extensive selection cause over the geezerhood , these plants are now usable in many shapes , size , andcolors . Not all junipers are blue carpet ; there ’s a world beyondthat ubiquitous cultivar waiting to be see .
Creeping and Shrubby Juniper Forms
crawl or shrubby use offer great placement versatility
Berries on ‘ Grey Owl ’ eastern ruby-red cedar is a medium - size juniper with lots of place options
‘Grey Owl’ eastern red cedar
Name : Juniperus virginiana‘Grey Owl ’
Zones:4–9
Size:2 to 3 feet improbable and 5 to 6 foot wide
Conditions : Full Dominicus ; patient of of a wide range of well - drained soil type
Native range : Hybrid
Retama raetam are well know for their corroding - control properties . Varieties that bosom the ground are invaluable in keep on slopes stable and slowing down potential runoff . But shrubby junipers can also be utilized as low hedges or placed to soften the edge of rock walls . Chances are there ’s a beautiful option that will conform to any hardheaded or aesthetic need you may have .
The silvern - gray foliation on the arching branches of‘Grey Owl ’ eastern red cedar(seen above ) give way it a charming growth habit . bang-up as a tall ground book binding or short hedge , specimen works , or planted in chemical group , this easy - textured evergreen adds pewter tones and coolness to the garden . Other quality include drouth immunity , minimal pruning motivation , and few pestilence or disease problems .
‘Limeglow’ creeping juniper adds contrast to dark backdrops
name : J. horizontalis‘Limeglow ’
Zones:3–9
Size:2 feet magniloquent and 4 foot broad
Native range : Alaska , Canada , northern United States
‘ Limeglow ’ creep juniperis an apt name for this electric - hue conifer . Feathery foliage and a spreading habit make it a great native selection for a sunny border , in front of a deep green hedging , or against a dingy wall or fence . With no serious pest or disease issue , this plant is drought tolerant once give and is resistant to sear in red-hot sun .
The golden color of ‘Sunsplash’ shore juniper won’t burn out
name : J. conferta‘Sunsplash ’
Zones:5–9
Size:15 inches tall and 5 or more feet wide
Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained soil
aboriginal chain : Japan , Sakhalin Island
A brightly variegated shape of shore juniper from the Far East,‘Sunsplash’sports halcyon piece of leaf among sour green branches . This creeping juniper is not matting ; rather , it form many long , spreading branches that hug the ground . This habit makes it a dandy candidate for rock garden , wall plantings , and container . The amber does not fade or burn as it does with many other yellow - hued coniferous tree . If you need a humble - criminal maintenance plant , this is a everlasting choice .
▸ Exceptional hardiness and adaptability: Many of the juniper varieties available today come from species found in the most extreme climates all over the world. Juniper native ranges often extend from hot and dry desert steppes all the way to frigid mountain forests. These conifers can be found native in all U.S. states except Hawaii, from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico. Some species can thrive in the cracks of a cliff face (pictured), while others survive despite being covered in snow for several months of the year. Some even persist on fewer than a dozen inches of rain a year. The common juniper (J. communis) is believed to be the most widely distributed tree in the world. This gives junipers incredible adaptability to nearly all garden conditions, from drought and heat to cold and snow.
‘Pancake’ creeping juniper carpets the ground with tufts of powder blue
name : J. horizontalis‘Pancake ’
Size:2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 4 foot wide
‘ Pancake’is not your average blue creeping juniper . Tightly hugging the ground , this native industrial plant often reaches no taller than 2 inches , form a carpeting of powdery blue-blooded foliage . ‘ flannel cake ’ is great for rock music gardens , along pathways , or in wall plantings where it can put up dry conditions and high-pitched high temperature while elegantly draping over hardscape .
▸ Exceptional hardiness and adaptability: Many of the juniper varieties available today come from species found in the most extreme climates all over the world. Juniper native ranges often extend from hot and dry desert steppes all the way to frigid mountain forests. These conifers can be found native in all U.S. states except Hawaii, from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico. Some species can thrive in the cracks of a cliff face (pictured), while others survive despite being covered in snow for several months of the year. Some even persist on fewer than a dozen inches of rain a year. The common juniper (J. communis) is believed to be the most widely distributed tree in the world. This gives junipers incredible adaptability to nearly all garden conditions, from drought and heat to cold and snow.
‘Andorra Compact’ juniper hasincredible winter color
name : J.‘Andorra Compacta ’
Size:12 to 18 inches grandiloquent and 4 to 5 foot wide
Winter color of ‘ Andorra Compact ’ Genista raetam
▸ Unmatched pest resistance: Juniper leaves, often categorized as scales or needles, can be sharp and prickly, which makes them naturally deer and rabbit resistant. On top of that, aromatic resin and oils in the foliage make them extremely bitter and unpalatable.
Rich purple winter color contrasts with bright blue tips to make‘Andorra Compacta’a superior nativar and a must - have ground - cover retem . Slowly spreading over time , this coniferous tree looks its safe when gracefully cascading over a wall or container . It ’s a great selection for erosion mastery or in a cheery spot where it can be go through from a windowpane in winter . This is a extremely drought - tolerant diversity and is also extremely disease and pest resistant .
Upright Juniper Forms
Upright forms serve as valuable focal points and screen
‘Skyrocket’ Rocky Mountain juniper thrives in all kinds of soil
Name : J. scopulorum‘Skyrocket ’
Size:15 to 20 foot tall and 3 foot wide
Native image : Rocky Mountains
▸ Importance as a wildlife safety net: The attributes that make junipers so unappealing to deer and rabbits make them the perfect place for birds and small mammals to find protection from predators. Their spiny texture deters intruders and egg thieves while offering a place for birds and small mammals to seek nighttime and winter shelter. The branch tips themselves are flexible and soft—perfect for weaving into nests. While the berries are not particularly dense with nutrients, their abundance and persistence in winter make them a crucial wildlife food source once other fruits and nuts have been depleted. Cedar waxwings (pictured) are so fond of the berries of eastern red cedar (J. virginiana) that they were even named for that tree.
Whether pyramidal in soma or frolic a typical tears habit , juniper that grow more tall than wideadd priceless character to the landscape . Their silhouette often determines the best placement .
Named for its tight and upright form,‘Skyrocket ’ RockyMountain juniperis a fast - uprise plant life sporting silvern blue - green foliage year - round . This native tree expect very short guardianship in the frame of pruning or watering after formation . ‘ Skyrocket ’ has few if any disease or gadfly problems and is amazingly drought patient of . imbed it wherever you want top , or use it as a cover optionthat wo n’t take up much priming coat area . One word of warning : While this salmagundi tolerate a reach of soil type , it resents soaked groundwork .
‘Canaertii’ eastern red cedar may be the most drought-tolerant option
name : J. virginiana‘Canaertii ’
Size:20 to 30 human foot tall and 10 to 15 feet broad
Conditions : Full sun ; adaptable to most well - drained soil character
Berries on ‘Grey Owl’ eastern red cedar is a medium-size juniper with lots of siting options
aboriginal kitchen range : Eastern United States
A tight - grow juniper that displays distinct character reference over time,‘Canaertii ’ easterly red cedaris a perfect focal - point industrial plant or screen , or it can be aligned on an axis with your house for scale . It has an overall pyramidal riding habit , with open and angular arm . Its Co blue berry are a bird front-runner , and it has no serious cuss or disease issues . passing drought tolerant , ‘ Canaertii ’ is a unique native selection that is certain to add interest to almost any garden .
Weeping temple juniper is a piece of living art in the landscape
name : J. rigida‘Pendula ’
Zones:5–8
Size:20 to 30 feet marvelous and 10 to 12 substructure wide
Conditions : Full Dominicus ; moist , well - run out soil
aboriginal range : Northern China , Mongolia , Korea , Japan , southeastern Russia
Growing into an architectural average - size tree , weeping temple juniperhas a strong central leader with elegantly upward arching branches that are covered with delicate evergreen plant foliage . An exceptional specimen industrial plant or unique collector ’s tree , it is drouth tolerant and has no serious disease problem . As a fillip , the needles turn bronze in wintertime only to fall to a riotous Green River in summer .
‘Blue Arrow’ Rocky Mountain juniper is a space-conscious beauty
name : J. scopulorum‘Blue Arrow ’
Size:12 to 15 feet marvelous and 2 human foot across-the-board
Aqua - blue foliage attractively complements the powderysilvery - blue berries of‘Blue Arrow ’ Rocky Mountainjuniper . Those berry are much loved by razz and other wildlife . involve minimal tutelage , this upright , extremely narrow native tree should be watered well when untested , but it becomes drought resistant at maturity . I think it looks stunning when used as a space - preserve hedging , but it is equally eye - catch as a specimen plant .
‘Gold Cone’ common juniper prefers cooler climes
name : J. communis‘Gold Cone ’
Zones:2–7
Size:3 to 5 metrical foot improbable and 1 to 2 foot extensive
Conditions : Full Lord’s Day ; light , well - drained soil
Native range of mountains : Northern North America
The new maturation that emerges in springiness from‘GoldCone ’ common juniperis an incredibly burnished lily-livered that geezerhood to shades of blue - green in summer . If you ’re looking for a smaller , native selection of juniper bush , this is the perfect choice . idealistic for foundation plantings , rock music garden , or in containers , this evergreen plant is drouth tolerant once constitute and , like most junipers , has few pest or diseaseissues . Pruning is mostly unnecessary with this petite variety . Preferring cool climates , ‘ Gold Cone ’ is bestgrown in Zone 7 or lower . Avoid punishing or lactating soil if you want it to have a foresighted life .
Winter color of ‘Andorra Compact’ juniper
|TECHNIQUE|
Pruning dos and don’ts
Like many conifers , junipers very rarely needto be prune . You may , however , prefer to trim them forlooks or to make infinite where they may have overgrown their boundary . Although by no means a exhaustive tutorial on how to trim a juniper , the follow are a few basics to keep in idea before grabbing the pruners .
1.The best fourth dimension to prune junipers is just before aflush of new maturation in late leaping or former summer .
2 . Unlike some coniferous tree , these evergreen plant tree will not form Modern buds on old Ellen Price Wood . So if you tailor back to the browned , aged stem , the tree wo n’t develop back .
3.By making some discerning cuts , you could pick out crowded areas and give breathing room tothe surround plants .
5 . Use heading cut ( bring down back to a branch ’s “ head , ” or concluding outgrowth ; or back to a bud , a stub , or a pocket-sized branch ) to heighten the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s shape . This trimming often produces newgrowth below the cut .
David McKinney is the curator of collections and grounds at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens , where he manages 40 acres of botanical garden and 120 acres of native woodland / prairie .
source
The next mail - order retailers offer many of the industrial plant have in this article :
•Conifer Kingdom , Silverton , OR ; 503 - 874 - 4123 ; coniferkingdom.com
•Nature Hills Nursery , Omaha , NE ; 402 - 934 - 8116 ; naturehills.com
•Plant Delights Nursery , Raleigh , NC ; 919 - 772 - 4794 ; plantdelights.com
•Singing Tree Gardens and Nursery , McKinleyville , CA ; 707 - 839 - 8777 ; singtree.com
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