The plant world plays an important role in people's lives. Juniper, its description is known today to most gardeners. Some species were used as food, had medicinal purposes, and were used for decorative purposes.
Juniper is a unique representative of the coniferous plant department, known since biblical times. It is surrounded by legends and myths, and in the 21st century it has not lost its demand among lovers of green spaces and experts in traditional medicine.
Content:
- General information and description of the plant
- Species diversity and popular varieties
- Common or Juniperus communis
- Rock view or Juniperus scopulorum
- Cossack species or Juniperus sabina
- Middle view or Juniperus media
- Virginian species or Juniperus virginiana
- Horizontal view or Juniperus horizontalis
- Chinese species or Juniperus chinensis
- Scaled species or Juniperus squamata
- reproduction
- Outdoor cultivation
- Growing at home
- Collection and application
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General information and description of the plant
plant fruits
General information and characteristics of the plant:
- cypress family, juniper genus,evergreen
- dioecious, rarely monoecious
- long-liver, up to 3000 years. slow growth
- diameter of the oldest tree does not exceed 15 centimeters
- small shrub or tree
- the height of some species reaches 12 meters
- distinguish female and male species
- softwood
- flowering period - May
- superficial position of lateral roots
- most species are stress-resistant, tolerate low temperatures
- some species are listed in the Red Book and are protected
All species have a unique air purification property. Juniper produces six times more phytoncides than other conifers.
In wildlife, you can meet representatives of the family in different parts of the planet, they occupy vast areas. Juniper grows throughout Europe, the United States of America, the Mediterranean and Asia. It is successfully cultivated in gardens and summer cottages. Individual specimens grow in hard-to-reach areas, on mountain slopes. To date, the genus consists of 75 species.
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A valuable plant is well known throughout Russia. There are 20 species of juniper in the country. The plant grows in coniferous and pine forests, on dry and sandy areas, pastures and mountain slopes. In wildlife, there are more than a hundred varieties of plants, and only 15 have been cultivated by man.
Consider the most common types and in demand in landscape design representatives of the genus.
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Common or Juniperus communis
Common juniper in natural habitat
- The most common species, occupying vast areas.
- Bush or a small tree easily takes root and develops in various soils.
- For cultivation, sandy and limestone soil is preferred.
- A distinctive feature was the stress resistance of a member of the family.
- It tolerates strong air pollution, is resistant to temperature changes, heat, bright sunlight, shade and frost.
- Plant height up to 12 meters, the crown can take a different shape.
- The color palette of the shoots is brown with shades of red, the cones are distinguished by a dark blue-black color.
- The prickly, needle-like needles covering the branches reach 16 millimeters in length.
- The size of fleshy, rounded cones up to 9 millimeters.
Green Carpet
Green Carpet or Green Carpet
- One of the varieties of common juniper was discovered at the end of the 20th century on the coast of Norway.
- The name is associated with the ground cover quality of the variety, in diameter it grows up to two meters.
- The dense crown acquires a round shape due to the horizontal direction of the branches.
- The undersized variety reaches a maximum height of 30 centimeters.
- Color palette needles - rich green, emerald.
- When cultivating, planting in the penumbra zone and a strong decrease in air temperature are acceptable.
- Dry air adversely affects the development of bushes.
Pencil Point or Pencil Point
Pencil Point or Pencil Point
- The name is associated with the pencil shape of the Pencil Point or Pencil Point variety and the pointed top.
- The plant appeared thanks to the work of Canadian breeders.
- At the age of 10 years, the height of the tree reaches 1.5 meters.
- The cast appearance of the crown provides a near-stem arrangement of upwardly directed branches.
- Green, small needles retain their brightness throughout the winter period.
- In home gardens, single trees or groups of Pencil Point are planted.
Gold Con or Gold Cone
Saplings Gold Con
- popular in landscape design the common juniper variety became the work of German selection.
- A plant up to three meters high and up to sixty centimeters wide is distinguished by an unusual pyramid-shaped crown.
- A disheveled crown, formed by an oblique arrangement of upwardly directed branches, gives a special charm.
- The color of the needles changes depending on the season: spring and early summer are yellow, winter is brown, and green in summer.
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Rock view or Juniperus scopulorum
- The rocky slopes of North America have become the birthplace of one of the species of juniper - Juniperus scopulorum.
- The plant is a tree up to 15 meters high.
- Branches growing in a strictly vertical direction form a dense crown in the shape of a pyramid.
- The color of needle and scaly needles retains a greenish-blue palette all year round.
- The plant, undemanding to the composition of the soil, is fragile.
- In winter, branches can break from snow masses, and in summer they can get burned from direct sunlight.
- In total, the species combined about 20 varieties.
Skyrocket or Skyrocket
Skyrocket
- The variety was discovered in 1949 and quickly gained popularity.
- A slender plant reaches a height of three meters in ten years of life.
- The crown acquires a columnar shape due to the numerous branches tightly adjacent to the trunk and directed in the vertical direction.
- Small needles are painted in a greenish-blue color.
- The correct form and ease of care and cultivation have made the plant popular in different parts of the world.
Moonglow or Moonglow
moonglow
- The variety is often used to create hedges.
- A distinctive feature of the plant was a bright blue crown with a regular rounded and pyramidal shape.
- The maximum height of a rapidly developing juniper reaches 6 meters.
- Young shoots are distinguished by a silvery color.
Blue Arrow or Blue Arrow
blue arrow
- One of the most popular varieties of rock juniper.
- By the age of 10, the plant reaches 2.5 meters in height and forms an arrow-shaped crown.
- The largest specimens do not exceed 5 meters in height.
- The distinctive quality of the plant is soft needles of bright, blue color.
- The fruits of Blue Erroy have an identical color to the crown.
- In winter, the branches can easily withstand snow masses and retain their attractive appearance for a long time.
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Cossack species or Juniperus sabina
Juniperus sabina
- One of the most stress-resistant species, freely growing in Europe and Asia.
- Varieties are resistant to temperature extremes, strong air pollution, high and low temperatures.
- A distinctive feature has become the reason for the frequent planting of plants along the roads of megacities.
- The creeping shrub reaches a maximum height of 1.5 meters.
- Dark green, dense needles form a spreading crown.
- Color may vary depending on the variety.
- When choosing a plant for planting in a summer cottage, its toxic qualities must be taken into account.
Tamariscifolia or Tamariscifolia
Tamariscifolia
- The sought-after variety of a perennial plant is distinguished by a sprawling, dense, squat crown.
- An undemanding plant easily takes root even in poor soils.
- In the wild, it is found on sheer cliffs and at a height of up to 3.5 meters above sea level.
- Stress-resistant plant reaches a height of up to two meters.
- Needle needles retain a greenish-blue color all year round.
- Ripe cones are bluish-green in color and are not suitable for consumption and are poisonous.
Blue Donau or Blue Donau
Blue Donau
- The maximum height of the shrub reaches three meters.
- The variety is distinguished by an unusual, blue color of small needles.
- In winter, the crown changes color and acquires a green or purple hue.
- The plant is not whimsical, a novice gardener will cope with cultivation and care.
- By the age of two, the pine cones acquire a bluish color similar to that of the needles.
- The plant tolerates urban conditions well, resistant to weather changes.
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Juniperus media
- An artificially created species resulting from the crossing of the Chinese and Cossack species.
- A powerful shrub reaches a height of three meters and is distinguished by hanging shoots.
- The needles are distinguished by a bright green color.
- Juniper branches are directed upward at an oblique angle.
King of Spring or King of Spring
King of Spring
- Low-growing variety, height does not exceed 50 centimeters.
- Spreading branches are located at an angle and look in different directions, the size of the crown in diameter reaches 1.2 meters.
- Fluffy needles of bright green-yellow color attracts attention and looks spectacular.
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Juniperus virginiana
- An evergreen species of juniper native to North America.
- In the wild, it can often be found on rocky terrain.
- Depending on the variety, there are horizontal bushes or vertical, stunted trees.
- The needles of the plant are of various colors, in most cases with cones of black and blue.
- The species is frost-resistant, tolerates a lack of moisture and sun, and is not picky about the composition of the soil.
- Today, about 70 varieties of Virginian juniper are known.
Canaertii or Canaertii
Canaertii
- The variety was the result of the work of Belgian breeders.
- A tall tree with a sharp pyramidal crown appeared in the 19th century.
- The color palette of the needles is bright green, in winter a yellow tint appears.
- Over time, the crown loses its density.
- Cones with a white bloom add attractiveness to the plant and stand out in bright blue.
Gray Owl or Gray Owl
Gray Owl
- The variety appeared in 1938 thanks to Dutch breeders.
- A lush plant stands out with an irregularly shaped crown.
- The height of the shrub for the first 10 years of growth does not exceed 1.5 meters.
- Gray Oul attracts attention with a pleasant color of scaly needles.
- The bluish-blue color looks spectacular with a single and group planting.
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Juniperus horizontalis
- The name of the species is associated with external features.
- undersized, pressed to the ground bush has needles of a green palette and with a burgundy tint in winter.
- In the wild, the plant is found on the territory of the North American continent.
- To date, about 60 varieties of the Horizontal juniper species have been bred through breeding.
Icee Blue or Icee Blue
ice blue
- Juniper Aisi Blue attracts attention with small, dense needles of a rich blue hue.
- The height of the creeping shrub does not exceed 15 centimeters, and the scaly crown reaches two meters in diameter.
- The appearance of the plant resembles a living carpet, which was the reason for the name of the variety.
Golden Carpet or Golden Carpet
Golden Carpet
- The popular variety of the Horizontal type of juniper is distinguished by a bright color palette.
- The color of the creeping, dense crown attracts attention with a rich golden yellow hue.
- In adulthood, the plant does not exceed 30 centimeters in height.
- An unpretentious representative of the family has needle-type needles and reaches a maximum diameter of 1.5 meters.
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Juniperus chinensis
- The name is associated with the distribution zone of the plant - China and Japan.
- In Europe, the variety appeared at the beginning of the 19th century.
- In the wild there are specimens up to 10 meters in height.
- The scaly or needle needles are distinguished by a rich green color all year round.
- The species has about 60 varieties that differ in appearance and cultivation features.
- Juniper hybrids of the Chinese species, distinguished by their two-tone color, are in particular demand.
- Most varieties are unpretentious and thrive in poor soils.
Plumosa or Plumosa
- The hybrid variety is distinguished by an unusual shape of the crown in the form of a crown or arch.
- The original appearance is created by sprawling branches with dense scaly-type needles.
- Plant height does not exceed 1.5 meters.
- All year round Plumosa juniper stands out with a dense bright green color.
Stricta or Stricta
Stricta
- A shrub with a maximum height of 2.5 meters is distinguished by a cone-shaped crown with a diameter of up to two meters.
- The whole year the plant pleases with a bright color of green-blue color.
- A long-liver among the plant kingdom is not picky about the soil and can do without watering for a long time.
- Strict juniper requires a long sunny day.
- The average lifespan of a plant was one hundred years.
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Juniperus squamata
- The homeland of the variety was the mountains of China and Taiwan.
- Today, individual varieties are found on the territory of Russia.
- Most representatives of the species have a creeping dense crown. Depending on the variety
- The scaly species of juniper is distinguished by a different color of needles, the length of which reaches 8 millimeters.
- The shape of the cones is oval, dark purple color palette.
- To date, 10 varieties of Juniperus squamata are known.
Blue Star
Blue Star
- The name of the variety is due to the unusual color of the spherical crown.
- The needles are blue-green with a hint of blue and silver.
- The undersized shrub reaches a height of one meter and has strongly branched shoots densely covered with needle-shaped needles.
reproduction
Many gardeners choose juniper to decorate their summer cottage.
Plant propagation is carried out in three main ways:
- Planting seed material.
- Planting cuttings.
- Reproduction by layering.
Juniper Propagation Recommendations
The technique consists of the following simple steps:
- Selection of ripe fruits. The dark color of the cones indicates their readiness to be harvested.
- Fruit soaking for easy seed extraction
- Seed preparation - immersion in a weak, acidic composition for three hours
- Soil preparation for landing
- Mulching when planting seeds in open ground
The method of propagation by cuttings and layering is considered more effective. In the first case, preparatory work begins in February - at spring planting or June - during summer planting. It takes about a month to get the root system, and the rooting period is two months. Cuttings are the best method of propagating juniper.
The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Planting material is cut from the top of the plant. The stalk should not be stiff
- Cutting is recommended to be carried out in the evening or morning hours, before the sun appears. The approach contributes to the health of the host and planting material
- Requires a cutting length of up to 25 centimeters
- The lower part of the handle - 5 centimeters, cleaned of branches
- Preparing the container and soil for planting
- Planting depth 2-3 centimeters
- Avoid direct sunlight on the plant, only diffused lighting is suitable
- Timely watering planting
Reproduction by cuttings
reproduction juniper layering suitable for creeping varieties.
The procedure includes the following steps:
- Preparation of the mother plant - loosening the soil and abundant watering
- Soil preparation - organization of the drainage layer, addition of peat and humus
- Cutting a young shoot up to 30 centimeters long
- Removal of all branches from planting material, only from five centimeters of the heel
- The bare part of the branch is pressed against the prepared soil and fixed with a wire or rope made of synthetic material.
- Mulching planting
- Carrying out regular planting maintenance
Outdoor cultivation
Juniper is popular in suburban areas. The plant performs a decorative role, looks spectacular and has useful properties.
Deciding to ennoble the garden with one of the varieties of coniferous plants, you should start with a seedling. You should buy it in one of the nurseries. In specialized garden centers, plants are sold with a closed root system, which ensures their safety and health.
Juniper in the garden plot
When buying, preference should be given to seedlings with green and well-bending needles.. Branches and trunk should not have mechanical damage. The bright color of the needles indicates the good health of the juniper.
Landing
The landing site should be in a well-lit part of the site. Some varieties will feel comfortable in partial shade. When planting a group of plants, a distance of at least 50 centimeters between plantings should be observed. The distance can be increased up to 200 centimeters depending on the expected size of the plant.
Landing
A pit for planting must be prepared in advance. Its depth is at least 50 centimeters, and the diameter must exceed the size of an earthen coma at least twice.
- First layer of pit – drainage. (Gravel, crushed brick, crushed stone or pebbles are suitable for it.)
- Second layer - sand.
- third layer - fertile soil.
Juniper is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but a fertile layer will accelerate the development of a shrub or tree. Depending on the plant variety, preferences for the composition of the soil should be taken into account.
Care activities
- A young, newly planted shrub requires regular watering. The event should be held at least once a week, in the absence of daily precipitation.
- An adult plant practically does not require watering. Only under the condition of a dry summer should the soil near a bush or tree be moistened. The number of waterings will be up to three for the entire summer period.
- In dry summers, the plant responds positively to spraying from a spray bottle.
Sanitary pruning
- The plant does not need regular feeding. It is recommended to apply complex mineral fertilizer only to young seedlings, in the middle or end of spring. In early spring, sanitary pruning of the conifer is possible. In the future, pruning takes place only for a decorative purpose, to give the crown the desired shape.
- To preserve the beauty of the crown at the beginning of the spring period, the plant is shaded. The event will help to avoid sunburn. As protection, a bag is thrown over the juniper or special screens are installed.
Growing at home
Some varieties of juniper are suitable for growing at home in a pot.
When deciding to decorate an apartment with an evergreen plant, the following recommendations should be observed:
- The choice of a large container made of natural material: porcelain or ceramics. The root system of the plant loves space
- Pre-prepared soil should consist of a drainage and fertile layer
- The main danger for growth and development is dry air and high temperature.. The room temperature should not exceed 25 degrees
- The place for the plant should be well lit and not in a draft.
juniper pot
In the summer, a juniper pot can be taken out into the fresh air.
houseplant care
Houseplants
The plant will please the owner for many years, subject to simple rules for care:
- moderate watering. The event should be carried out more often in the summer, with a dried top layer of soil. Regular watering in the hot period - once every two days
- Plant nutrition during active growth. When watering, mineral fertilizers are added to the water. In winter, top dressing is not carried out
- plant pruning. Dead branches are removed once a year.
Collection and application
Juniper is a plant known for its medicinal properties. Mature cones are used for harvesting. The optimal time for collection is the period from late summer to mid-autumn. A flooring made of fabric or paper is placed under the tree. The plant is shaken and fallen, ripe berries are collected.
After drying, the workpiece is used for the following health problems:
- Diseases of the kidneys and urinary system
- Disorder of the nervous system
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Pulmonary diseases.The decoction is used for rinsing and inhalation.
- Cystitis
- Cholelithiasis
- Skin diseases
- Rheumatism. Infusion of cones is added to baths and compresses
- Absence of menstruation
- Strengthen hair follicles, prevent hair loss
- Diathesis
Juniper infusion
Infusion of juniper berries rinse the throat and mouth. The solution has a disinfecting effect and allows you to cope with the infection. For medicinal purposes, not only the fruits, but also the branches of the plant are used. They are able to ozonize the air and destroy microbes. The smoke obtained by burning juniper has a disinfecting property.
VIDEO: Types and varieties of junipers
Juniper: description of 8 species and 16 varieties, reproduction and care in the open field and at home (120+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
I had big problems with juniper for a long time, I had to change at least one unit every year. It will dry up, then it will freeze - I had to buy according to the growth as those that have taken root (difficult). But here, for example, everything is written in detail and it’s a pity that I didn’t come across this article earlier - it was according to such instructions that not a single unit died for me for 2 years.
As it turned out, the juniper is very capricious, but many people like it - next year I will make figures from it)).
Juniper is a plant that does not require specific care, except for the fact that it needs to be prepared for winter. I tried to grow an artisanal juniper for 4 years, in order to be able to cut it and make the woodland more individual, but it grows for so long that I went crazy and bought already large plants that could be stopped in a year (you need to wait until it takes root).
By the way, ordinary lawn grass does not grow well under juniper - you need to buy a special one - designed for growing in the shade - this is like advice.
Pencil Point or Pencil Point- This is not a thuja Smaragd by any chance?
No Gala.
The Pencil Point Juniper is a small, very narrow evergreen tree that reaches a height of less than 5 feet and a width of less than a foot. This is the perfect narrow accent plant for a smaller area. It is very, very hardy and grows in poor soil.