Few crops generate extra revulsion within the backyard than junipers. The mere suggestion of planting one usually musters an analogous response to that of claiming a unclean phrase. Possibly we’ve grown weary of their use as ever­inexperienced blobs in basis plantings. Maybe the considered meticulously shearing them into the proper form sounds daunting (see pruning ideas). It may very well be an early reminiscence of an itchy rash from an up-close encounter with a juniper’s prickly branches. Or it may very well be boredom with the ocean of creeping blue rug junipers (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’, Zones 3–9) planted in each big-box-store parking zone. Though junipers are a midcentury-modern backyard staple, generations of gardeners have since determined they’ve had sufficient of those controversial conifers. Whereas it’s straightforward to dismiss them for his or her deeply ingrained detrimental traits, junipers have many deserves that make them price reconsideration.

They’re sturdy and a useful useful resource for wildlife

In an ever-changing world with an unpredictable future, individuals now greater than ever are involved with the position crops play within the ecology of their gardens. With over a dozen species native to North America, junipers is usually a pure, superhero plant decide. Many charismatic yard birds love and even rely on junipers. Their berries (fleshy cones) are a favourite for warblers, cardinals, japanese bluebirds, and plenty of others. Not solely are the berries tasty, however they’re additionally essential winter meals sources when most different crops are dormant. These evergreens present shelter from bitter chilly and robust winds, whereas the bristly foliage is an ideal place for a fortified nest. In case you are trying to enhance chook exercise and habitat within the backyard, junipers are a best choice. See Berry-Producing Crops for the Birds

Junipers are hosts to dozens of insect species, together with numerous caterpillars, true bugs, and beetles. Such bugs type the bottom of the backyard meals chain, attracting helpful predatory bugs in addition to supporting insectivorous birds, frogs, and small mammals. Whereas these bugs do devour the juniper’s foliage and sap, few of them trigger any actual aesthetic injury or inflict hurt on the plant.

| JUNIPER FACTS |

What makes junipers so particular?

Lots of the detractors of junipers lose sight of their many good and ecologically essential qualities. Sure, they’re prickly and require gloves to deal with in some circumstances. However this adaptation is for good causes.  Moist springs, drought, and harsh winters that threaten different woody crops don’t hassle junipers. They’re hardy crops that make it via most local weather situations with solely a little bit assist. Beneath are a few of the traits that make junipers as a gaggle so unbelievable.

Advantages of rising junipers

• Like many backyard crops, they respect a little bit water throughout dry intervals simply to maintain them from stressing out. Nevertheless, in depth root methods make them extra immune to drought.
• Sturdy wind doesn’t usually trigger injury to junipers.
• They’re naturally deer resistant because of their prickly demeanor.
• As a result of they’re native to a lot of the continent, there are varieties that may deal with sizzling, humid summers, and ones that tolerate chilly, dry winters.
• Junipers even have only a few illness issues in comparison with different ­conifers which are tormented by fungal infections.

With all of those marvelous advantages, it’s exhausting to imagine that junipers are nonetheless the black sheep of the conifer world. With in depth choice efforts through the years, these crops at the moment are out there in lots of shapes, sizes, and colours. Not all junipers are blue rug; there’s a world past that ubiquitous cultivar ready to be found.

Creeping and Shrubby Juniper Kinds

Creeping or shrubby habits supply nice placement versatility 

‘Gray Owl’ japanese pink cedar Title: Juniperus virginiana ‘Gray Owl’ Zones: 4–9 Dimension: 2 to three ft tall and 5 to six ft vast Situations: Full solar; tolerant of a variety of well-drained soil varieties Native vary: Hybrid

Junipers are well-known for his or her erosion-control properties. Varieties that hug the bottom are invaluable in conserving slopes secure and slowing down potential runoff. However shrubby junipers may also be utilized as low hedges or positioned to melt the sides of stone partitions. Likelihood is there’s a lovely choice that may match any sensible or aesthetic want you could have. 

The silvery-gray foliage on the arching branches of ‘Gray Owl’ japanese pink cedar (seen above) provides it a captivating progress behavior. Nice as a tall floor cowl or brief hedge, specimen plant, or planted in teams, this soft-textured evergreen provides pewter tones and coolness to the backyard. Different qualities embody drought resistance, minimal pruning wants, and few pest or illness issues.

‘Limeglow’ creeping juniper is an apt identify for this electric-hued conifer. Feathery foliage and a ramificationing behavior make it a fantastic native choice for a sunny border, in entrance of a deep inexperienced hedge, or in opposition to a darkish wall or fence. With no critical pest or illness points, this plant is drought tolerant as soon as established and is immune to scorch in sizzling solar.

A brightly variegated type of shore juniper from the Far East, ‘Sunsplash’ sports activities golden patches of foliage amongst darkish inexperienced branches. This creeping juniper just isn’t matting; fairly, it varieties many lengthy, spreading branches that hug the bottom. This behavior makes it a fantastic candidate for rock gardens, wall plantings, and containers. The gold doesn’t fade or burn because it does with many different yellow-hued conifers. In order for you a low-maintenance plant, it is a good selection.

‘Pancake’ just isn’t your common blue creeping juniper. Tightly hugging the bottom, this native plant usually reaches no taller than 2 inches, forming a carpet of powdery blue foliage. ‘Pancake’ is nice for rock gardens, alongside pathways, or in wall plantings the place it could actually tolerate dry situations and excessive warmth whereas elegantly draping over hardscape.

‘Andorra Compact’ juniper has unbelievable winter colour identify: J. ‘Andorra Compacta’ Zones: 3–9 Dimension: 12 to 18 inches tall and 4 to five ft vast Situations: Full solar; well-drained soil Native vary: Hybrid

Wealthy purple winter colour contrasts with vibrant blue tricks to make ‘Andorra Compacta’ a superior nativar and vital ground-cover juniper. Slowly spreading over time, this conifer appears its greatest when gracefully cascading over a wall or container. It’s a fantastic selection for erosion management or in a sunny spot the place it may be seen from a window in winter. It is a extremely drought-tolerant selection and can be extraordinarily illness and pest resistant.

Upright Juniper Kinds

Upright varieties function worthwhile focal factors and screening 

Whether or not pyramidal in form or sporting a particular weeping behavior, junipers that develop extra tall than vast add invaluable character to the panorama. Their silhouette ­usually determines the perfect placement. 

Named for its tight and upright type, ‘Skyrocket’ Rocky Mountain juniper is a fast-growing plant sporting silvery blue-green foliage year-round. This native tree requires little or no care within the type of pruning or watering after institution. ‘Skyrocket’ has few if any illness or pest issues and is surprisingly drought tolerant. Plant it wherever you need top, or use it as a screening choice that received’t take up a lot floor space. One phrase of warning: Whereas this selection tolerates a spread of soil varieties, it resents moist ft. 

A quick-growing juniper that shows distinct character over time, ‘Canaertii’ japanese pink cedar is an ideal focal-point plant or display, or it may be aligned on an axis with your property for scale. It has an general pyramidal behavior, with open and angular branches. Its cobalt blue berries are a chook favourite, and it has no critical pest or illness points. Extraordinarily drought tolerant, ‘Canaertii’ is a novel native choice that’s certain so as to add curiosity to nearly any backyard.

Rising into an architectural medium-size tree, weeping temple juniper has a robust central chief with ele­gantly upward arching branches which are coated with delicate evergreen foliage. An distinctive specimen plant or distinctive collector’s tree, it’s drought tolerant and has no critical illness issues. As a bonus, the needles flip bronze in winter solely to return to a lush inexperienced in summer time.

Aqua-blue foliage superbly enhances the powdery silvery-blue berries of ‘Blue Arrow’ Rocky Mountain
juniper. These berries are a lot beloved by birds and different wildlife. Requiring minimal care, this upright, extraordinarily slender native tree must be watered effectively when younger, but it surely turns into drought tolerant at maturity. I feel it appears gorgeous when used as a space-saving hedge, however it’s equally eye-catching as a specimen plant.

The brand new progress that emerges in spring from ‘Gold Cone’ widespread juniper is an unbelievably vibrant yellow that ages to shades of blue-green in summer time. Should you’re in search of a smaller, native number of juniper, that is the proper selection. Very best for basis plantings, rock gardens, or in containers, this evergreen is drought tolerant as soon as established and, like most junipers, has few pest or illness points. Pruning is basically pointless with this petite selection. Preferring cooler climates, ‘Gold Cone’ is greatest grown in Zone 7 or decrease. Keep away from heavy or moist soil if you need it to have an extended life.

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Pruning dos and don’ts