Description of juniper needles. Types of juniper, features of care and cultivation. Other undersized varieties
Among the plants that adorn our gardens, conifers occupy a special place. They give the garden a noble look and decorate it. all year round. They are loved because they are very decorative and set the tone in many compositions. But, conifers are especially popular in winter - on the eve of the New Year. They look spectacular in New Year's decoration in our apartments, under snow caps in large parks and squares, and in very small areas.
As regards the planted coniferous plants, then we can say that the sympathies of gardeners are almost evenly distributed among various kinds firs, pines, thujas, junipers and larches. All of them can be called centenarians, many of them live even more than one hundred years.
Almost all coniferous plants are evergreen. Only some of them, for example, larch, sheds needles for the winter. All the rest update their needles gradually. Once every few years, old needles fall off, and new young green needles appear in their place.
The variety of coniferous plants allows gardeners to choose the most suitable tree or shrub for their garden.
The following advantages of conifers make them very popular in landscape gardening:
- They tolerate the lack of light and moisture well.
- Many varieties naturally have the correct shape, and therefore do not need a haircut.
- Due to the medicinal coniferous aroma, they are widely used in folk and official medicine.
- Due to the variety of types and forms, they are actively used in landscape compositions in areas of any size
If you decide to plant on your site coniferous plant, the choice must be approached very carefully.
Key questions to ask yourself:
- What do you want to plant - a tree or a shrub
- Is the composition ready for the conifer
- Have you considered your climatic conditions and the composition of the soil on the site
coniferous plants go well, in particular with cereals, with roses, etc. If the answers are ready, you can start selecting the variety, type and shape of the coniferous plant.
Types of coniferous plants
Spruce
Evergreen monoecious and wind-pollinated plant. Its Latin name (Lat. Picea) spruce is due to the high content of resin in the wood. Widespread use in industry is due to the softness of wood and the absence of a core.
Spruce- perhaps the most beloved and common coniferous tree in our country. These beautiful slender trees with a pyramidal crown occupy one of the first places in the coniferous kingdom and have almost 50 plant species in their genus.
The largest number of spruce species grows in Western and Central China and in the northern hemisphere. In Russia, 8 types of spruce are well known.
Spruce is considered a fairly shade-tolerant plant, however, it still prefers good lighting. Her root system is superficial, i.e. close to the ground. Therefore, the earth at the roots is not dug up. Spruce is demanding on soil fertility, loves light loamy and sandy loamy soils.
Types of fir trees successfully used in landscaping the site:
Sometimes reaches 40 meters. Fast growing tree. Due to the special color of the needles - the top is a brilliant dark green, and the bottom - with noticeable white stripes - it gives the impression that the tree is bluish-green. Brown-purple buds give the plant a special charm and elegance.
Serbian spruce looks great, both in a single and in a group planting. An excellent example is the magnificent alleys in the parks.
There are dwarf varieties with a height of no more than 2 meters.
(Picea obovata). On the territory of our country, it grows in Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East and the Urals.
A coniferous tree up to 30 m high. The crown is dense, wide-conical, with a pointed top. The bark is fissured, gray. Cones ovoid-cylindrical, brown. It has several subtypes that differ in the color of the needles - from pure green to silver and even golden.
European spruce, or common (Picea abies). The maximum height of a coniferous tree is 50 m. It can live up to 300 years. This is a slender tree with a dense pyramidal crown. Norway spruce is considered the most common tree in Europe. The trunk width of an old tree can reach 1 m. Mature cones of an ordinary spruce are an oblong-cylindrical shape. They ripen in autumn in October, and their seeds begin to fall from January to April. European spruce is considered the fastest growing. So, in a year it can grow by 50 cm.
Thanks to breeding work To date, several very decorative varieties of this species have been bred. Among them there are weeping, compact, pin-shaped spruces. All of them are very popular in landscape gardening and are widely used in park compositions and as hedges.
Spruce, like any other coniferous plant, becomes especially beautiful with the advent of winter. Any shade of needles effectively emphasizes the snow cover, and the garden looks elegant and noble.
In addition to the above types of spruce, prickly, oriental, black, Canadian, Ayan spruce are popular with gardeners.
The genus of pine consists of more than 100 names. These conifers are distributed throughout almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. Also, pine grows well in the composition of forests in Asia and North America. Artificially planted pine plantations feel good in the southern hemisphere of our planet. It is much more difficult for this coniferous tree to take root in the conditions of the city.
It tolerates frost and drought well. But the pine does not really like the lack of light. This coniferous plant gives a good annual growth. The dense crown of pine is very decorative, and therefore pine is successfully used in landscaping parks and gardens, both in single planting and in group planting. This conifer prefers sandy, calcareous and rocky soils. Although there are several types of pine that prefer fertile soils, these are Weymouth, Wallich, cedar and resinous pine.
Some properties of pine are simply amazing. For example, the peculiarity of its bark delights, when the bark below is much thicker than the one above. This makes us once again think about the wisdom of nature. After all, it is this property that protects the tree from summer overheating and a possible ground fire.
Another feature is how the tree is prepared in advance for winter period. After all, the evaporation of moisture in frost can destroy the plant. Therefore, as soon as the cold approaches, the pine needles are covered with a thin layer of wax, and the stomata close. Those. pine stops breathing!
Scotch pine. It is rightfully considered a symbol of the Russian forest. In height, the tree reaches 35-40 meters, and therefore it is deservedly called a tree of the first magnitude. The circumference of the trunk sometimes reaches 1 meter. Pine needles are dense, bluish-green. The shape is different - sticking out, curved, and even collected in bunches of 2 needles.
The life expectancy of needles is 3 years. With the onset of autumn, the needles turn yellow and fall off.
Pine cones, as a rule, are located 1-3 pieces on legs. Ripe cones are brown or brown in color and reach a length of 6 cm.
Under adverse conditions, Scotch pine may stop growing and remain a "dwarf". Surprisingly, different instances can have a different root system. For example, in arid soils, a pine tree may develop a taproot that extracts water deep underground. And in conditions of high occurrence of groundwater, lateral roots develop.
The life expectancy of Scots pine can reach 200 years. There are cases in history when a pine lived for 400 years.
Scotch pine is considered fast growing. For a year, its growth can be 50-70 cm. This coniferous tree begins to bear fruit from the age of 15. In the conditions of the forest and dense planting - only after 40 years.
The Latin name is Pinus mugo. This is a multi-stemmed coniferous tree, reaching a height of 10-20 meters. Dwarf varieties - 40-50 cm. Trunks - semi-lodging and ascending. In adulthood, it can reach a diameter of 3 m. A very decorative coniferous plant.
The needles are dark, long, often curved. The bark is brownish-gray, scaly. Cones ripen in the 3rd year.
To date, more than 100 varieties of mountain pine have been registered. And this number is increasing every year. In landscape gardening, dwarf varieties are especially used, which form beautiful compositions along the banks of reservoirs and in rocky gardens.
Magnificent view with a narrow pyramidal crown. Homeland - North America. In our country, it grows well in the southern and middle lane. Grows up to 10 meters. It does not tolerate urban conditions very well. Especially at a young age, it often freezes slightly. Prefers places protected from the winds. Therefore, yellow pine is best planted in groups.
The needles are dark and long. The bark is thick, reddish-brown, cracking into large plates. Cones ovoid, almost sessile. In total, there are about 10 varieties of yellow pine.
A very showy variety of pine. Homeland - North America. The needles have a blue-green tint. The cones are large and somewhat curved. mature tree can reach a height of more than 30 meters. It is considered a long-liver, as it can live up to 400 years. As it grows, it changes its crown from narrow-pyramidal to wide-pyramidal. It acquired its name thanks to the English Lord Weymouth, who brought it home from North America in the 18th century.
It does not tolerate salty soils and. It is relatively resistant to frost, but does not like winds. Weymouth pine is characterized by reddish pubescence on young shoots.
A relatively low coniferous plant - up to 20 m high. This is a slow-growing tree. The bark is light gray, lamellar. The needles are bright green, hard, curved. Cones are yellowish, shiny, long. The diameter of the crown can reach 5-6 meters.
Some experts consider it Geldreich's pine. Indeed, the resemblance is great. However, since there are varieties under both names, we will still focus on whitebark pine. To date, about 10 varieties of this species are known. Approximately the same number of Geldreich's pines. Often varieties can be mixed.
This type of pine in the conditions of our country takes root best in southern regions because it does not tolerate frost well. White pine is photophilous, to nutritional composition soil is undemanding, but grows best on moderately moist, drained and moderately alkaline soils.
Looks good in a Japanese, rocky and heather garden. Great for both solitary planting and mixed group.
Fir
Tall (up to 60 m) coniferous tree with a conical crown. A bit like a spruce. It can be up to 2 meters in diameter. This is a real long-lived plant. Some specimens live 400-700 years. The trunk of a fir is straight, columnar. The crown is thick. At a young age, the fir crown has a cone-shaped or pyramidal shape. As they grow older, the shape of the crown becomes cylindrical.
The needles, depending on the variety, have different lengths and live 8-10 years. Fir begins to bear fruit from the age of about 30 years. Cones are erect and long (up to 25 cm).
This coniferous plant does not tolerate frost, drought and great heat. The pluses include the fact that this is the most shade-tolerant tree. Sometimes shoots can appear under the mother tree in full shading. With good lighting, firs naturally grow better.
This coniferous plant is a real find in landscape gardening. Fir is used both in a single planting and for decorating alleys. Dwarf forms look great in rocky garden and on the alpine hill.
Botanical name Abies balsamea "Nana". This coniferous plant is a dwarf cushion tree. Naturally grows in North America.
In care unpretentious. He likes good lighting, but he also tolerates shade well. For balsam fir, not so much frost is terrible as strong gusty winds that can simply damage a small tree. The soil prefers light, moist, fertile, slightly acidic. It reaches a height of 1 m, which makes it a favorite decorative object in landscape gardening. It is equally good for decorating a garden, landscaping terraces, slopes and roofs.
Propagated by seeds and annual cuttings with an apical bud.
The needles are dark green with a special reflection. Exudes a characteristic resinous aroma. Cones are red-brown, elongated, reach a length of 5-10 cm.
It is a very slow growing coniferous plant. For 10 years, it grows no more than 30 cm. It lives up to 300 years.
Fir Nordmann (or Caucasian). An evergreen coniferous tree that came to us from the mountains of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Sometimes it grows up to 60-80 meters in height. The shape of the crown is a neat cone-shaped. It is for this neat appearance that gardeners love Nordmann fir.
It is she who is dressed up instead of a Christmas tree on new year holidays in many European countries. This is largely due to the structure of the branches - the branches are often located and raised up. This distinguishing feature fir Nordmann.
The needles are dark green with some sheen. Young shoots are light green, even yellowish. Needles - from 15 to 40 mm, look very fluffy. If the needles are lightly rubbed between the fingers, you can feel a specific citrus aroma.
The trunk of an adult plant can reach a diameter of two meters. At a young age, the bark of the Caucasian fir is grayish-brown, smooth. As it matures, it cracks into segments and becomes matte.
Nordmann fir is growing quite fast. Under favorable conditions, this coniferous tree can live up to 600-700 years. Moreover, the increase in height and width continues to the very last day life!
Depending on the type of soil, the root system can be either superficial or deep with a central core. The cones of this fir are large, up to 20 cm, arranged vertically on a short stem.
It has a unique property - the needles on the branches remain even after they have dried, up to mechanical damage.
A coniferous evergreen plant belonging to the Cypress family. It can be both a tree and a shrub. Common juniper (Juniperus communis) grows mainly in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet. However, in Africa you can also find your own juniper - East African. In the Mediterranean and Central Asia, this plant forms juniper forests. Quite common are undersized species that creep along the ground and rocky slopes.
To date, more than fifty species of juniper are known.
As a rule, it is a photophilous and drought-resistant culture. Absolutely undemanding to soils and temperatures. However, like any plant, it has its own preferences - for example, it develops better in light and nutritious soil.
Like all conifers, it belongs to centenarians. Its average life expectancy is about 500 years.
The needles of the juniper are bluish-green in color, triangular, pointed at the ends. Cones are spherical, gray or of blue color. Rod root.
Magical properties were also attributed to this coniferous plant. For example, it was believed that the juniper wreath scares away evil spirits and brings good luck. Perhaps that is why in Europe there was a fashion to hang wreaths on the eve of the new year.
IN landscape design both juniper trees and shrubs are widely used. Group plantings are good for creating hedges. Single plants also do an excellent job with the main role in the composition. Low-growing creeping varieties are often used as ground cover plants. They strengthen slopes well and prevent soil erosion. In addition, juniper lends itself well to a haircut.
Scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata)- creeping shrub. Thick branches with the same dense needles look very decorative.
Evergreen coniferous plant. Has the appearance of trees or shrubs. Depending on the genus and species, it differs in color, quality of needles, crown shape, height and life expectancy. Representatives of some species live up to 150 years. At the same time, there are specimens - true centenarians, who live up to almost 1000 years!
In landscape gardening, thuja is considered one of the basic plants, and like any conifer, it is good both in group planting and as a solo plant. It is used to decorate alleys, hedges and borders.
The most common types of thuja are western, eastern, giant, Korean, Japanese, etc.
Thuja needles are soft needle-shaped. In a young plant, the needles have a light green color. With age, the needles acquire a darker shade. The fruits are oval or oblong cones. Seeds ripen in the first year.
Thuja is famous for its unpretentiousness. She tolerates frost well, and is not capricious in care. Unlike other conifers, it tolerates gas pollution in large cities well. Therefore, it is indispensable in urban gardening.
Larches
Coniferous plants with needles falling down for the winter. This partly explains its name. These are large, light-loving and winter-hardy plants that grow quickly, are undemanding to soils and tolerate air pollution well.
Larches are especially beautiful in early spring and late autumn. In spring, larch needles acquire a soft green hue, and in autumn - bright yellow. Since the needles grow every year, its needles are very soft.
Larch fructifies from 15 years. Cones have an ovoid-conical shape, somewhat reminiscent of a rose flower. They reach a length of 6 cm. Young cones are purple in color. As they mature, they turn brown.
Larch- long-lived tree. Some of them live up to 800 years. The plant develops most intensively in the first 100 years. These are tall and slender trees, reaching 25-80 meters in height depending on the species and conditions.
In addition, larch is a very useful tree. It has a very hard and durable wood. In the industry, its red core is in the greatest demand. Also, larch is valued in folk medicine. Folk healers harvest its young shoots, buds and larch resin, from which "Venetian" turpentine (turpentine) is obtained, which is used for many diseases. The bark is harvested throughout the summer and used as a vitamin remedy.
Photo of coniferous plants
Enjoy the beauty of nature with us
Juniper plant in the photo
Ornamental species of junipers, both in household plots and in Russian gardens, are still relatively rare. And not because they are not worthy of due attention. On the contrary, judging by the description of juniper species, these trees are perhaps the most beautiful among conifers. They are distinguished by their diverse shape, graceful needles and decorative fruits.
In addition, there is hardly another natural air ozonizer that cleans it from harmful organisms in a short time and in a significant radius. No wonder there is an aura of benevolence and peace among junipers. By right, this plant is medicinal.
The homeland of the juniper is the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, less often the mountains of the tropical part of Central America, the West Indies and East Africa. Juniper thickets live in the undergrowth of light-coniferous or light-leaved forests on sandy and even stony mountain soils.
In Europe and Asia, more than 20 species of juniper tree are known, in Russia no more than five or six are common. They are very different as appearance and biological requirements.
Juniper is an evergreen coniferous plant belonging to the Cypress family. These can be trees from 12 to 30 m high. There are also ornamental shrubs junipers - creeping (up to 40 cm in height) and erect (up to 1-3 m). The leaves (needles) of this plant are needle-shaped or scaly.
Look at the photo what juniper looks like different types:
Juniper 
Juniper
The plant is monoecious or dioecious, depending on the species, age and environmental conditions. Male spikelets are yellowish with scaly stamens, female - cones - berry-like, with a bluish bloom, bearing 1-10 seeds. Flowering - in April-May. Cones usually ripen in the second year after flowering.
What do the roots of a juniper plant look like? The root system of these trees and shrubs is pivotal, with developed lateral branching. Powerful roots are sometimes located in the upper soil horizon.
When describing the juniper tree, it is especially worth noting the strong coniferous smell emitted by these plants and due to the content of essential oils in the needles. Volatile substances have a pronounced volatile effect. The coniferous smell kills microorganisms and repels insects, in particular mosquitoes.
The smell of juniper can improve the well-being of those suffering from angina pectoris, relieve insomnia. The beneficial role of sleeping pads with dry juniper bark and steam, bath brooms, relieving joint and neurological pains, is well known.
Twigs of all types of coniferous trees, juniper with live needles, are popularly used by the people to fumigate an infected room or simply to freshen the air.
The berries of this plant are an excellent raw material for the confectionery, alcoholic beverage industry and perfumery.
Common juniper in the photo
Common juniper- a plant in the form of a shrub or tree (up to 12 m in height) with a cone-shaped crown.
Young shoots of this species are green at first, then reddish, glabrous, round. The bark of branches and trunks is grayish-brown, dark, scaly-scaly. Needles in whorls of three, shiny, lanceolate-linear, 1-1.5 cm long, dark green or bluish-green with a hard, prickly top.
The plant is dioecious. Male flowers are yellow spikelets, consisting of thyroid scales with 4-6 anthers. Female - resemble green buds of three scales and three ovules. Blooms in May - June. Fruiting begins at 5-10 years of age. Cone berries are single or in several pieces, spherical, up to 10 mm in diameter.
As you can see in the photo of the juniper, the fruits of the tree in the mature state are dark blue with a bluish wax coating:
Common juniper 
Common juniper
The berries have a resinous smell and a sweetish-pleasant taste. Contains up to 40% sugar. A bountiful harvest is repeated in 3-4 years. The cones are collected, shaking them on a film or cloth spread under the plants, and dried under a canopy.
This juniper is undemanding to soils, cold-resistant, does not tolerate drought well. When transplanted without a clod of earth, it takes root with difficulty. Propagated by seeds that ripen within 2-3 years and have an oblong shape and brown-brown color.
known decorative forms common juniper:
Juniper "Pyramidal" in the photo
"Pyramidal" with a columnar crown,
"Squeezed"- undersized shrub with dense dark green needles,
"Horizontal"- low creeping shrub, densely covered with blue-green needles, sharp and prickly.
Look at the photo of the varieties of this type of juniper:
Juniper 
Juniper
These plants are propagated by cuttings and grafting. Common juniper and its decorative forms grow very slowly. They do not tolerate excess salt in the soil and often die during transplantation, which must be taken into account when growing them.
The medicinal properties of common juniper were known and used in Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and Rus'. It is a good urine and choleretic, expectorant and antimicrobial agent. And the North American Indians, for example, kept tuberculosis patients in juniper thickets, not allowing them to leave until they were fully recovered.
In the 17th century in Russia, oil and alcohol were made from juniper fruits. The latter was used to make special vodka, which was considered a reliable remedy for almost all diseases. The oil was used as an effective antiseptic in the treatment of wounds, burns, and frostbite.
The fruits of this juniper are used as a seasoning. They add a special forest flavor to poultry and game dishes. The fruits are also used as a substitute for coffee. They still make jelly, marmalade, syrup, which is added to kissels, confectionery and bakery products.
Common juniper cones contain essential oils and 20-25% glucose, in terms of sugar content they are not inferior to grapes. They are used in medicine as a diuretic, in the alcoholic beverage industry for the production of gin, in the confectionery industry for the production of syrups. This type of juniper is widely used in homeopathy, as well as in Tibetan medicine.
Pay attention to the photo - this type of juniper in summer cottages and household plots is used in single and group plantings, as well as for hedges:
Juniper in cottages and household plots
The name of this type of juniper is more often heard than others, since it is the most studied and used as a medicinal plant.
Juniper fruits are harvested in autumn. They are fragrant, black-brown in color and have a sweet-spicy taste. Infusions and decoctions are prepared from them (1 tablespoon of crushed fruits per glass of water), which are prescribed as a diuretic and disinfectant for kidney diseases, Bladder, kidney and liver stones. Decoctions are also used for gout, rheumatism, arthritis, helping to remove mineral salts from the body.
For external use, both berries and needles are used - for skin diseases, gout, arthritis.
You can also be treated with fresh fruits, taking them only after consulting with your doctor first, on an empty stomach, first 2-4, then increasing by 1 berry daily, up to 13-15, after which the dose is also gradually reduced to 5 pcs. Fruits are contraindicated in acute inflammatory processes in the kidneys.
Juniper Cossack in the photo
Juniper Cossack- low creeping shrub with recumbent or ascending branches, covered with dense needles with a silvery tint.
Unlike the common juniper, the Cossack cones are poisonous. They are small, spherical, brown-black in color with a bluish bloom and a very unpleasant odor.
Touching the ground, the branches of the plant can take root. Growing, the juniper forms large curtains up to 3-4 m in diameter. This species is very drought-resistant, photophilous and winter-hardy, loves calcareous soil, but grows on all types of soil. Due to its unusual appearance, this juniper is indispensable in landscaping, when strengthening rocky slopes, in decorative groups on lawns.
When propagating this type of juniper with green cuttings, standard planting material will be obtained 2-3 years earlier than from seeds, and the signs of the mother plant will be completely preserved. Reproduction by layering - the fastest and easiest way vegetative propagation Cossack juniper, but very unproductive.
Such garden varieties this type of juniper
Juniper "columnar" 
Juniper "upright",
"columnar", "upright",
Juniper form "cypress-leaved" 
Juniper form "variegated"
"cypress-leaved", "variegated"
Juniper form "tamariksolistnaya"
And "tamarix-leaved".
The most interesting is the "white-bordered" with almost white needles at the ends of the branches. Each is decorative in its own way and differs in shade and shape of needles.
Juniper Cossack comb-leaved- dioecious, low, almost creeping shrub with smooth, reddish-gray bark. Cones up to 7 mm in diameter, brown-black, with a bluish coating, contain 2-6 pcs. seeds. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant.
Juniper Chinese in the photo
juniper chinensis- trees or shrubs with a columnar or pyramidal crown. Young shoots are grayish or yellowish green, rounded, later brownish. The bark of the trunks is brownish-gray. The needles are predominantly opposite or, in young specimens, partially whorled (cross-opposite and needle-shaped in whorls of three), on the shoots - scaly, rhombic, blunt, tightly pressed to the shoot up to 1.5 mm in length. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Cone berries solitary or in groups, spherical or ovoid, 6-10 mm in size, mature - blue-black.
This type of juniper prefers fertile, well-moistened soils. Does not tolerate drought well. Without visible damage, it tolerates a drop in temperature to -30 °.
As you can see in the photo, this decorative juniper is used for single, group and alley plantings:
Juniper on the plot 
Juniper on the plot
Of the many decorative forms on summer cottages grow the form of "variegata" - with whitish tips of the shoots, "fitzeriana" - with sprawling, upward-pointing branches and drooping branches. The variegated undersized form is interesting - with arched branches and drooping greenish and golden shoots.
This type of juniper can be grown as a bonsai.
Here you can find photos, names and descriptions of other varieties of juniper suitable for growing in the garden.
Juniper Siberian in the photo
Siberian juniper- undersized (up to 1 m) creeping shrub with short sharp dark green prickly needles. Differs in winter hardiness and unpretentiousness to growing conditions.
Juniper virginian in the photo
Red cedar- monoecious evergreen tree. This juniper looks like a real giant - its height reaches up to 20 m. Its homeland is North America. The crown is narrow-ovate, the needles are long (up to 13 mm) and prickly. Cones ripen in autumn, already in the first year. They are dark blue, with a wax coating, up to 5 mm in diameter, sweet in taste, contain 1-2 seeds. Grows quickly, especially with sufficient moisture. Less hardy than Siberian and ordinary. Easily propagated by seeds when sown in autumn or stratified - in spring. It tolerates pruning well, but transplanting is bad.
Among the common garden forms of virginian juniper there are plants with columnar and pyramidal crowns; with drooping and spreading branches with gray needles, with a rounded spherical crown and bright green needles.
Juniper longiferous- tree or shrub. Young shoots are greenish, later - brown, round, glabrous. The bark is scaly-scaly, dark gray in color. The needles are pointed, three in whorls, 15-20 mm long, dark green or bluish, hard, prickly, shiny.
In this species of juniper plant, cone berries are single and in groups, spherical or oval 5-10 mm in diameter, mature ones are black, with a slight bluish bloom. Triangular seeds.
This type of juniper is suitable for group and single plantings, for decorative design slopes and rocky places, because it is not picky about soils and moisture. Propagated by seeds.
Forms with a spherical crown and a compact pyramidal bush are known.
Juniper undersized- It is mainly a shrub up to 1 m tall. Stems recumbent, rooting. Young shoots are green, bare. The bark of branches and trunks is brown, on old ones it is scaly-scaly. This species of juniper has needles in whorls of three, prickly, hard, up to 1 cm long, bluish-green.
Cone berries solitary or in groups, almost spherical, 5-10 mm in diameter, mature - black with a bluish bloom, seeds 2-3 in number, wrinkled, tetrahedral.
In the design of the garden, it is suitable for single plantings on lawns, discounts, rocky hills, for landscaping slopes. Undemanding to soils.
Among the natural forms of the undersized species, the most popular are "Glauka" with lying branches and bluish-gray needles, as well as the "Rent" form with obliquely upward directed arcuate branches with weakly gray needles. Propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering.
Juniper reddish- tree or shrub. Young shoots and needles are green, and later acquire a yellowish color. The bark is brown-gray, flaky. On top of the needles are two original white stripes. The shape of the needles is grooved, prickly and shiny.
Cone berries are spherical, 10 mm in diameter, mature - reddish-brown, shiny, without a bluish bloom.
The species is decorative with yellow needles and reddish cones. It differs from other species by insufficient cold resistance. Propagated by seeds, which are 2-3 pieces in a cone-berry. They are brown and slightly trihedral.
Juniper high- a tree up to 15 m high. Young shoots are bluish-dark green, compressed tetrahedral, glabrous. The bark of branches and trunks is brownish-red, exfoliating with age. The needles are crosswise opposite, 2-5 mm long, pointed, ovate-lanceolate in shape, rarely needle-shaped, bluish-green.
Cones are solitary, spherical, 10-12 mm in diameter, mature - black with a bluish bloom, brown seeds.
Pay attention to the photo of this variety of juniper - it is very decorative, has a beautiful, dense, wide-pyramidal or ovoid crown. Suitable for single and group plantings, grows well on dry rocky slopes.
Like most other types of juniper, it is winter-hardy, drought-resistant, undemanding to the soil, tolerates pruning well, so it can be used in borders. Propagated by seeds.
juniper scaly- slow growing shrub with an oval crown. At a young age, the crown is rounded, the branches are raised, bluish-green. The needles are needle-shaped, prickly, gray-gray, short, dense, collected in whorls. Fruits - red-brown cones; when ripe in the second year, they become almost black.
grow up various forms this juniper, among which there are plants with a spherical, vase-shaped, flattened crown.
In our gardens this species juniper is most often found in the form:
"Blue Star" is a shrub 40-45 cm high and a crown diameter of 50 cm with silver-blue and very prickly needles. It looks good on alpine slides, as well as in containers.
It is quite frost-resistant, but often suffers from the spring sun.
Juniper propagation methods and growing conditions (with photo)
The method of propagation of juniper is chosen depending on the species - by seeds, green cuttings, layering.
Seeds ripen in cones a year or two after flowering. The cones are left hanging on the tree until planting. Sowing is best done in autumn (November) in the sowing furrows, into which it is necessary to introduce soil from under an adult juniper plant, meaning the introduction of mycorrhiza into the new soil. If sowing is done in the spring, then preliminary stratification of seeds in wet sand is necessary, in the first month at a temperature of +20 ... + 30 °, and then 4 months - at + 14 ... + 15 °. The substrate for sowing is 1 part of sifted sod land and 1 part of coniferous sawdust.
As shown in the photo, when propagating juniper, good results are obtained by planting green cuttings in greenhouses, and in summer - in greenhouses:
Juniper propagation 
Juniper propagation
Green cuttings are indispensable for the propagation of garden forms. Cuttings are taken with a “heel” only from young plants.
The substrate - 1 part peat, 1 part juniper needle - is placed on a layer of compost covered with a layer of soddy soil taken from under a juniper plant. Cuttings are sprayed 4-5 times a day. Most suitable time for cutting cuttings - April. For better rooting, cuttings should be treated with a growth stimulator, immersing them for 24 hours in a solution of Epin, Zircon, Rooting, Kornevin, Kornerost or another drug.
One of the main conditions for growing junipers is compliance with temperature regime. The optimum air temperature during grafting should be +23...+24° at a relative humidity of 80-83%.
After 1-1.5 months, a thickening appears on the juniper cuttings - callus. Immediately after that, they are transferred to the ridges, where they winter.
The care and cultivation of junipers is not difficult, since all types of these plants are unpretentious, developing well on a wide variety of soils up to sands and wetlands, but preference is given to light nutrient substrates.
Most species are photophilous, resistant to drought, sharp temperature fluctuations and damage by diseases and pests.
Given the peculiarities of growing junipers, it is impossible to dig the soil under these plants in autumn in order to avoid damage to the roots. The trunk circle should be covered with a layer of fallen needles.
When growing juniper in the garden, all types of these plants are unpretentious, that is, they are able to endure frost and drought, practically do not require fertilizers and pruning. However, there are certainly secrets of agricultural technology for growing junipers in culture, as evidenced by their frequent loss of decorativeness, and sometimes sudden death.
Planting a seedling in a permanent place is fraught with difficulties, since juniper does not like transplants. A tree for transplantation is dug in a circle and, together with a clod of earth, is transferred to a new place. At the same time, the goal is to minimally injure the root system.
For successful care for juniper, planting dates are determined by the growth of the roots. Juniper has two growth periods: early spring (March) and mid-summer (June-July). However, due to weather conditions, the second, summer period not suitable due to drought. At the same time, planting in the fall can be considered appropriate. During the winter, the plant is dormant, and with the onset of spring, it begins to actively take root.
These photos show the planting and care of juniper on personal plot:
Juniper in the garden
Junipers are worthy of wide application in the design of summer cottages. Their decorative forms are especially picturesque. They are not only beautiful, but, releasing phytoncides, like all conifers, they heal our environment.
Each of the most common types of junipers has its own specifics and value.
Low-growing forms of junipers are successfully used as ground cover.
Juniper like a silver blue carpet
Forms such as "Glauka", "Blue Star" And "Old Gold", are able to create a beautiful silver-blue carpet under the trees and tall shrubs.
Pyramidal species of juniper are usually planted as single plants or in small groups near various architectural structures, as well as on lawns and alpine slides. They are good in a quiet corner formed by trees, herbs and perennials.
Coniferous trees - beauty all year round, their resistance to the change of seasons invariably attracts gardeners and landscape designers. For the most part, they are undemanding to growing conditions and care, they endure both summer heat and winter cold. In addition, at present there are many varieties of coniferous plants - trees and shrubs, it is not at all difficult to choose something suitable for this site.
Spruce
Spruce is a landscape classic, an evergreen tree that is appropriate for any site. Spruce will look great both as a centerpiece and as a backdrop for other plants; in a single landing, in a group, in the form of a hedge. Currently, there are more than 40 species of spruces, including species of natural origin, and hybrid varieties. Many of the natural species have several ornamental varieties.
Spruce is a long-lived tree, in Sweden in national park spruce grows, whose age is 9550 years. This is a record figure even for spruces, whose average life expectancy is 200-500 years. The long-liver received his own name - Old Tikko.
Spruce grows slowly, in 10 years it grows only up to one and a half meters in height, but it grows for centuries. IN nature this tree can be seen in the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. The spruce forest is dark and dense, most often without undergrowth, consisting of beautiful, slender trees up to 30 meters high.
Spruce is a monoecious tree, the crown is cone-shaped or pyramidal, with a whorled, outstretched or drooping arrangement of branches.
The roots of young trees are taproot, but with age the main root dries up, it is replaced by numerous shoots that spread horizontally and shallow in the ground.
The bark is gray or brown-gray, with thin exfoliating plates. The needles are tetrahedral, short, sharp, green. Each needle grows separately, from a leaf cushion that becomes noticeable after the needles fall off.
Cones are oblong and pointed, up to 15 cm long, 3-4 cm in diameter. They do not crumble, but fall off after the seeds ripen in the year of fertilization. Seeds - lionfish ripen in October, and fall out of the cones. At this time, the wind picks them up and carries them around. Once in favorable conditions, they germinate and give life to a new tree, their germination capacity lasts about 10 years.
In the photo, one of the representatives of the family is a dwarf Canadian gray spruce:
Cedar
Cedar is another coniferous tree that has numerous and attractive shapes for designers. Naturally, if it is a real cedar, and not a cedar pine. The cedar differs from other coniferous trees in the arrangement of needles, it is collected in bunches of 20-50 pieces, while in pines and spruces it is single. A similar fastening of needles is observed in larch, but its needles are soft, while in cedar it is prickly and hard, and does not fall off in autumn.
Cedar cones stand on branches, and do not hang down, like those of pines and firs. They are similar in shape to fir cones, but rounder. After ripening, they break into pieces, while the seeds are dispersed by the wind.
The shape of the crown is also unique. In the Lebanese cedar, it is wide, sprawling like an umbrella. The branches in it are arranged in tiers, the symmetry of which is not observed in all trees. The needles are green, gray-green, blue-green, the length of the needles is 3-4 cm, they are collected in bunches of 30-40 pieces.
Atlas cedar
Atlas cedar has a cone-shaped crown, which is similar to an ordinary spruce. Its needles are also collected in bunches, it is very short - about 2.5 cm. In color - silver-gray, or blue-green.
There is even a weeping form of Atlas cedar, which, no doubt, will become a highlight of the landscape, especially if it is rocky. Japanese garden with a natural or artificial reservoir. See photo:
Atlas cedar
Its branches hang down just like a weeping willow, only instead of tender leaves there are prickly needles that look unusual, but quite gentle and attractive:
atlas cedar
himalayan cedar
Himalayan cedar - the owner of a wide cone-shaped crown with a blunt top and horizontally growing branches. But he also has hanging shoots, although a non-specialist will easily mistake him for a spruce tree of a slightly unusual shape:
himalayan cedar
The needles of the Himalayan cedar are light green, up to 4-5 cm long, growing in bunches.
Despite certain differences, cedars have a lot in common. All of them are evergreen trees growing to a height of 50-60 meters. IN early age grow slowly, then increase in growth faster.
The bark of young specimens is smooth, becoming scaly, cracking, dark gray in color with age.
Cypress
Cypress is a completely different matter, a special species in the family of evergreen conifers and shrubs. No wonder in the East he is considered the standard of harmony. This tree, with all its appearance, seems to indicate that it will not take up much space in your garden and will not require special care. But not all cypresses are concise; among them there are shrubs with wide, sprawling crowns. This numerous family consists of 20 genera and 140 species.
Cypress prefers a warm climate. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can be seen in the tropical and subtropical zones, on the coasts of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. And also in the Himalayas, in the Sahara, and in China. In the Western Hemisphere, it grows in Central America, Mexico and the southern states of the USA.
The leaves of cypresses are small, at first they are needle-shaped, similar to needles, then they are scaly, tightly pressed to the branches. Cypress is a monoecious plant - male and female flowers appear on the same tree. Cones are ovoid or round, ripen in the second year after emergence, the seeds are flattened, with wings.
cypress evergreen
Evergreen cypress is a tree that can be seen on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Crimea. Its height reaches 30 meters, the crown is narrow, columnar, with short branches raised up and pressed against the trunk. In culture, it has been grown since ancient times, it is a real long-liver, able to live for more than 2 thousand years. In Turkey, it is considered a tree of sorrow, and is planted in cemeteries. Pictured are evergreen cypresses:
cypress evergreen
Arizona cypress
Arizona cypress, native to the southwestern regions of the United States and Mexico. It's pretty tall tree, up to 20 meters high with well-developed roots. Despite its southern origin, it endures frosts down to -25 degrees, but young trees must be covered with agrofiber for the winter.
Arizona cypress
large-fruited cypress
Large-fruited cypress has a columnar crown. But this feature occurs only in young specimens; with age, the branches become gentle, bend and form a wide, sprawling crown.
The needles of large-fruited cypress have a pleasant lemon smell, so it is readily grown in winter gardens, or in bonsai culture.
large-fruited cypress
weeping cypress
Weeping cypress - the owner of dangling branches. The plant comes from China, where it is often planted in cemeteries.
Cypress is also part of the Cypress family, and has 7 species that grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is evergreen, monoecious, coniferous, with a cone-shaped crown. Branches growing upwards, or prostrate and drooping, the trunk is scaly, brown or brown. Under natural conditions, it grows up to 70 meters, in culture - up to 20-30 meters.
The leaves of the cypress are pointed, similar to small scales. Cones are not large, woody, round, up to 12 mm in diameter. Seeds ripen in the first year.
weeping cypress
Lawson's cypress
Lawson's cypress is a tall and slender tree with a narrow cone-shaped crown, expanding downwards. The top is tilted to the side. Trunk with thick, reddish-brown bark that becomes patchy and scaly over time. The needles are shiny, green, with whitish stripes. Cones are oval and rounded, about 1 cm in diameter, light brown, with a bluish-blue bloom.
In general, the tree is very beautiful, looks great in alleys and plantings along with cypress trees of other species, but, unfortunately, low frost resistance does not allow growing it in regions with harsh winters. In the photo, Lavson's cypress:
Lawson's cypress
Pea cypress
Pea-bearing cypress is a tall, up to 30 meters, tree with a cone-shaped crown, originally from Japan. Outwardly, from afar it looks like deciduous trees, but its needles are the same as those of all members of the family.
Pea cypress
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria - the name of this evergreen tree is often written or pronounced along with the definition: "Japanese". And not without reason - the tree comes from the Japanese islands, is considered a symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun, and has a second name: Japanese cedar. Although it belongs to the Cypress family, it does not belong to the genus of cedars.
In nature, there is only one species of this plant, there are no hybrid varieties based on it yet, although it has been known in culture since 1842. In Russia, it is grown in the Crimea and on the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea.
The tree is quite tall and fast growing, growing up to 70 meters. The crown is dense but narrow. The bark is fibrous, red-brown, the trunk is massive - up to 4 meters in diameter.
The needles are awl-shaped, more like rose thorns than needles, but longer up to 3 cm. The color of the needles is light green, but in winter it acquires a yellowish tint.
The tree is monoecious, male flowers grow from the axils of the shoots in bunches. Female solitary, located at the ends of the shoots. Cones are round, 2 cm in diameter, ripen in the first year, but fall off the next summer. Seeds with wings, about 5-6 mm long.
In the photo, Japanese cryptomeria:
Cryptomeria japonica
Larch
Larch is a deciduous tree of the Pine family. The leaves of this tree are very similar to needles, but in autumn they fall off, and in spring they reappear, like in deciduous trees, therefore, in Russia it is called larch. In total, there are 20 species of this tree, 9 of them grow in Russia.
The tree is large, up to 50 meters high, and with a trunk diameter of about 1 meter. For a year, the growth is 1 meter, larch is a long-liver, able to live up to 400 years, but it is rarely used in culture.
Her crown is not dense, in young specimens it is cone-shaped, in areas with constant winds it can be one-sided, or flag-shaped. The root system is strong, branched, without a pronounced main root, but with numerous and deeply extending lateral processes.
The needles are soft, bright, on elongated shoots it grows spirally, and on short ones - in bunches, like a cedar. Falls off completely in autumn. The tree is monoecious with male and female flowers. Seeds develop in female cones, from 15-20 years.
From afar, larch can be mistaken for a sprawling beautiful spruce:
Larch
Microbiota
Microbiota - coniferous shrub cypress family. There is only one species of this plant - the microbiota cross-pair, growing in the Far East of Russia. The number of the species is declining, due to the fact that the seeds cannot spread far from the parent bush, and perennial thickets are destroyed by forest fires, so the species is included in the Red Book of Russia.
This is a prostrate shrub, with thin creeping shoots, so it can be mistaken for a creeping form of arborvitae. The needles are scaly, green in summer and brown in winter, in young plants it is needle-shaped on shaded shoots. Cones are small, one-seeded, consist of 2-3 scales. The root system is uric, dense.
The microbiota grows very slowly, it produces only 2 cm of growth per year, but it is distinguished by longevity - it can grow in culture for more than 100 years. In general, the microbiota looks very appropriate in single and group plantations, therefore it is always in demand among gardeners. On the picture:
Microbiota
Juniper
Juniper is a dioecious, coniferous plant of the Cypress family, very common in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 70 species of this plant inhabit various climatic zones of the planet, some of which feel good in the Russian expanses, and can live up to 600 years.
Arborescent junipers are able to form separate forests, shrubs grow as an undergrowth or third tier in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as on rocky slopes.
Juniper shrubs are creeping, with shoots about 1.5 meters long, but tree-like forms can reach 30 meters in height.
Juniper leaves are opposite, needle-shaped, oblong. In young specimens, they can be in the form of needles, in adult plants - scaly, pressed against the stems. The berries are cone-shaped, with tightly closed scales, each with 1 to 10 seeds that ripen for 2 years.
Juniper
Fir
Fir is a coniferous tree of the Pine family. Like the cedar, its cones grow upwards and disintegrate on the tree. Up to 50 species of fir grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The tree is powerful and tall - up to 60 meters, with a moderately spreading cone-shaped crown.
The bark of the trunk is gray, in different species it can be smooth and thin throughout its life, or thick and fissured.
In the photo, Korean fir cones:
The root is taproot, strong deepened. The needles are flat, with a pointed or rounded tip, located singly or spirally on the branches.
Cones are cylindrical, ripen in 1 summer, disintegrate in autumn, throwing out seeds with wings, carried by the wind.
A miracle happened in the taiga forest. A rare sight appeared before the eyes of a lost traveler. Tiny roses bloomed on coniferous trees - it was larch cones that transformed the gloomy and impregnable forest.
larch image
It is not surprising that in ancient times Larches were an object of worship. These trees were sacred to many nations.
Larch helped to find peace of mind. Mighty strong trunks of Larch became heroes of epics and even reincarnated as ancient gods.
For other peoples, Larch was considered a magical tree and was used by shamans in ceremonies and rituals, like Juniper.
In Buryatia, people came to the spirit of Larch with a prayer, asking for children to appear in the family.
larch names
There are several versions of the origin of the Latin name for Larch "larix".
One version claims that the word comes from the word "laridum", which actually means "fat". Indeed, Larch, rich in resins, glistens in the sun, as if greased.
According to another version, the Latin word comes from the Celtic lar, which means plentiful. Apparently, we are also talking about resin.
Most likely, Larch received its Russian name from the fact that the needles of the tree resemble leaves rolled into a tube.
What does larch look like
Larch is a monoecious plant. During flowering, both female and male shoots can be easily distinguished.
Unusual cones, similar to roses, are often used in floristry.
Due to the rather rare and thin needles, Larch is often mistaken for dried spruce. In a larch grove it is always light and clear.
The tree can reach 45 meters in height and up to one and a half meters in diameter. The shape of the Larch crown depends on the area and under what conditions the tree grows. Spreading and curly, thin-leaved and tall, these trees delight travelers around the globe.
The age of some Larch representatives is up to 1000 years, but on average, trees live up to 500 - 600 years.
Where does Larch grow?
In Russia, Larch is one of the most common trees. Withstanding even the most severe frosts beyond the Arctic Circle, Larch is able to grow in fairly depleted soils.
In nature, larch is found in almost any area, it can form entire larch forests.
The most common types of larch in our country are Siberian, European and Dahurian. There are about 14 species of this beautiful tree.
Larch can be found in Siberia, in Primorye, in the Far East, in the Carpathians. Some representatives are found all over the world.
When Larch Blooms
Every spring in May, male and female flowers appear on the branches of the Larch.
The female buds have a pinkish tint, which makes them so similar to roses.
Cones ripen only in September and open either in autumn or after wintering.
Medicinal properties of larch
Mushroom Trutovik collected from the trunk of Larch is very valuable and useful product. The Romans gave this mushroom the name "white agaricus" and highly valued it for its various properties.
The mushroom can be used as a natural soap. Agaricinic acid, a valuable component of medical preparations, is extracted from it.
Larch resin has disinfecting and bactericidal properties. In addition, larch resin is rich in vitamins. During the war years, she lived to avoid beriberi.
Turpentine from Larch is used to treat pain and sprains, to eliminate pain in rheumatism and neuralgia.
Vitamin flour for animals is made from Larch production waste.
Application in industry
Not only natural soap is made from the Trutovik mushroom, but also red-brown paint is obtained.
On an industrial scale, paint is extracted from the bark of Larch.
Larch wood deserves special attention. Very dense, it should be well dried. Its strength can give odds to many species, such as apple, oak.
In the old days, the lower crown of the huts was made of Larch. Since the tree retains and even enhances its properties in water, Larch is often used in the construction of footbridges and wooden jetties.
In industry, larch wood processing is a rather expensive occupation due to the high content of resin that clogs the tool. In addition, the harvesting of larch forests is hampered by the impossibility of rafting logs down the river. Because of high density larch logs are not able to float on water.
Contraindications
When using the tinder fungus for medical purposes, you must be careful. It is not recommended to use the mushroom for people in the elderly and childhood, during pregnancy and with stomach problems.
Individual intolerance to the components can also become an obstacle to its use for medical purposes. Before using tinder fungus in the treatment of any disease, you should consult your doctor.
In Bashkiria, in the village of Kuzhanovo, amazing Larches grow. The trees are completely different from the usual Siberian Larch trees.
In the old days, after covering the roof of the house with shingles, a larch trunk together with a root was used to close the last seam. Fancy-shaped skates were made from the root.
In the 19th century, Peter I forbade the sale of larch forest to private individuals. Too much timber was required for the construction of the Russian military and merchant fleet.
One of the most famous cycle tracks in the world is located in Moscow. It was built for the 1980 Olympics. Track material – Larch.
To prevent damage to the edges of the boards when cyclists fall, it was decided to cut the boards in such a way that the annual layers were tilted at an angle of 45 degrees. The result of the decision can be observed to this day.
Larch is the most widespread breed in the world.
The density of Larch after drying is so high that after driving a nail into the wood, it is impossible to extract it.
Venice is built on piles of Siberian Larch.
Larch can be used to make artificial silk.
Family: cypress (Cupressaceae).
Motherland
In nature, juniper is found in the Northern Hemisphere from the polar zone to the mountain tropics.
Form: coniferous shrub.
Description
The genus "juniper" has more than 60 species, which can differ significantly from each other. In general, juniper is a shrub or tree up to 10 m high. Juniper leaves are evergreen, scaly or needle-like (sometimes both forms of leaves can be found on the same plant). The scaly-leaved junipers have a penetrating, fragrant smell that intensifies with sun exposure and after rain. In junipers with needle-like leaves, the smell is less pronounced. Monoecious or dioecious juniper flowers are inconspicuous, but the fruits - gray or blue cones - attract attention. Juniper is very durable and can reach the age of 600-800 years.
Common juniper (J. communis). Strictly vertical shrub or tree from 3 to 8 m tall and 1 to 3 m wide, with dense or openwork foliage. Common juniper grows slowly. The fruits are small, blue or black, not poisonous. The needles of the common juniper are needle-shaped, bluish-green, pointed, trihedral. Common juniper is sun-loving (it thins in the shade), tolerates high temperatures, frost-resistant.
(J. sabina). Small, flat, prostrate shrub 0.5 to 1.5 m tall and 2 to 3 m wide. Shoots are numerous, raised. The growth rate of juniper Cossack is average. The fruits of the Cossack juniper (small black-brown berries with a bluish bloom) are very poisonous. The needles of the Cossack juniper are usually scaly, sometimes needle-shaped; very fragrant, dark green. All parts of the Cossack juniper are poisonous. The root system is very deep. Juniper Cossack grows in the sun, adapts easily; very resistant to high temperatures, winter-hardy and wind-resistant. It grows on almost any, not very fertile and not very heavy soils (from dry to fresh and from acidified to strongly alkaline).
juniper chinensis (J. chinensis). Large shrub or tree. Chinese juniper branches have two types of needles at the same time: scaly and needle. The needles are usually green, bluish-green or grey; in the shade or with strong pruning, the needles of the Chinese juniper become needle-shaped. The root system is deep, branched; Chinese juniper is wind resistant. Chinese juniper grows only in the sun, even in light shade it thins out. Tolerates high temperatures; cold hardy and adaptable. Chinese juniper grows on any relatively fertile, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate dry air. juniper chinensis in middle lane Russia is replaced by cypresses, which are visually similar to it, but do not grow in the Middle lane.
Red cedar , "pencil tree"(J. virginiana). Slender, upright large shrub or small tree 7 to 12 m tall and 4 to 6 m wide. The shape of this type of juniper depends on the variety. Initially, the plant is compact and conical, then it becomes wider, asymmetrical and openwork. The branches of juniper virginsky are bent up. average speed growth - 20-25 cm per year. The berries are bluish-white with a bluish bloom. The needles of the virgin juniper are usually scaly (needle-shaped in the shade), richly dark or gray-green; turns dark red in winter. The root system is pivotal, sensitive. Virginian juniper grows only in the sun, tolerates high temperatures, is winter-hardy, drought- and wind-resistant. Easily adaptable. Juniper virginian soils prefer fresh light clayey, loamy limestone and sandy soils. Juniper virginiana tolerates shearing and is suitable for topiary art. Old free-growing plants have a picturesque crown shape.
Juniper horizontal, or juniper prostrate (J. horizontalis). Flat, prostrate, dwarf shrub 0.2 to 0.3 m tall and 1.5 to 2 m wide with creeping shoots. Juniper horizontal forms dense cushions; grows slowly. The fruits are bluish, rarely formed. Juniper needles horizontal scaly; color - from green to metallic blue; in winter, it often takes on a crimson or dark red hue. Juniper horizontal or prostrate grows in the sun or in partial shade, tolerates high temperatures; winter-hardy; wind resistant. Juniper horizontalis is undemanding to the composition of soils, relatively resistant to salinity, adapts easily, however, does not grow well on heavy substrates. When the temperature drops, the needles of the horizontal juniper become brown.
juniper scaly
(J. squamata). A small prostrate shrub from 0.5 to 1.5 m tall and wide; growth rate is average. Berries are black or brown. The needles are needle-shaped, pointed, prickly, silver-blue. The root system of juniper scaly is superficial, the plant is windfall. Scaly juniper grows in the sun or in partial shade, in the shade it loses the blue color of the needles. Tolerates high temperatures, winter-hardy, undemanding. Juniper scaly grows on any well-drained substrate. Scaly juniper tolerates heavy pruning, quickly recovers. Light contributes to the formation of a denser crown.
Juniper rocky (J. scopulorum). Shrub or small tree 10 to 18 in height. The rocky juniper crown is asymmetric, spherical, starting almost from the base. Young shoots are light or bluish green. Rocky juniper leaves are mostly scaly. The berries are dark blue, with a blue bloom. Rocky juniper is photophilous, in the shade it loses its decorative effect. In addition, the plant is windy, requires planting in a protected place, and rocky juniper can also suffer due to heavy snowfalls. In appearance, rocky juniper is close to virginian juniper, but its branches are thinner and tougher.
Juniper Dahurian (J. davurica). A creeping shrub with ascending branches. The bark is gray, exfoliating. The needles of the Daurian juniper are needle-shaped, sharp; in good light - scaly. After the first frost, it turns brown. Dahurian juniper berries are small, dark blue with a bluish bloom. Daurian juniper is undemanding to the composition of soils, photophilous, but tolerates light shading; drought-resistant. Suitable for slopes, slopes, planting in rock gardens.
juniper lying, or juniper leaning (J. procumbens). Low-growing, creeping ground cover shrub from 0.5 to 0.75 m tall and up to 2 m wide. Homeland juniper recumbent or leaning - Japan. Shoots prostrate, hard.
Juniper oblongata (J. oblonga). A small tree resembling the common juniper in appearance (sometimes classified as a subspecies of it). Has longer leaves. Juniper oblongata is rarely found in cultivation.
Juniper Sargent (J. sargentii). In nature, it is found on Sakhalin, the South Kuriles, in Japan and China. Juniper Sargent is a creeping shrub with long shoots and scaly, small, bluish-green needles (juniper does not change the color of the needles in winter). Juniper Sargent berries are dark blue or black. Juniper Sargent is a very decorative, stable, winter-hardy plant. Not picky about soil fertility, tolerates poor sandy and rocky substrates.
Siberian juniper (J. sibirica). In nature, it is found in the north of Europe, in Siberia, North America, the mountains of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Crimea, Far East. Siberian juniper is a short, creeping or prostrate shrub up to 1 m tall. Siberian juniper berries have a bluish bloom; mature in the second year. Siberian juniper grows slowly, does not tolerate soil salinity, and does not tolerate transplantation well. Rarely found in culture.
Juniper medium (J. x media). Very decorative, upright, asymmetric, large spreading shrub 2 to 5 m high and 3 to 6 m wide. The branches of the middle juniper form layers, the lateral shoots are often raised. Juniper average grows quickly. The berries are blue, formed in the second year. The needles of the juniper medium are scaly, the color is from dull to blue-green; in the shade or after pruning, the needles become needle-shaped. The root system of juniper medium is deep, branched, the plant is wind-resistant. Juniper average grows in the sun or in partial shade, tolerates high temperatures, winter-hardy. Juniper medium grows on any relatively fertile, well-drained substrate; sensitive to soil compaction. Juniper medium tolerates a haircut well and is suitable for topiary art.
Juniper hard
(J. rigida). Evergreen columnar tree up to 8 m tall with very stiff, sharp, yellow-green needles. The hard juniper is very photophilous, but undemanding to soil fertility; prefers dry gravelly or sandy substrates; does not tolerate salinity. In nature, hard juniper is found only in Japan, on the Korea Peninsula, in East China and in the south of Primorsky Krai. It is rare in culture, but deserves more popularity due to its great decorative effect (males are especially beautiful). Juniper hard is very beautiful as a tapeworm.
Juniper Turkestani (J. turkestanica). Shrub or tree from 2 to 18 m tall with scaly needles.
Growing conditions
Junipers are drought-resistant, very durable plants. They are photophilous, as a rule, do not tolerate shading, including harassment from taller plants. Only the common juniper tolerates some shading. The composition of the soil may be different, depending on the species, but all junipers are undemanding to soil fertility.
The disadvantage of juniper is its poor resistance to the smoky and gassed atmosphere of the city.
Application
Junipers are unusually ornamental plants, they are very popular with gardeners and are often found in summer cottages. The use of junipers is very wide: tall species are used as or to create, in group plantings; dwarf juniper and creeping juniper are planted in - and. Juniper in the garden will “hold” the soil well, preventing erosion, so it is planted on slopes and slopes. The use of junipers is limited only by their slow growth.
Junipers tolerate shearing well throughout the year.
Good partners for junipers will be heather and erica, ground cover pines, roses, ornamental cereals, wild perennials.
Care
Junipers are drought tolerant, but grow better on soils of medium moisture. In dry summers, juniper is recommended to be watered (2-3 times per season is enough), and sprayed in the evening. Loosen the soil around the junipers (mostly young plantings) shallowly, after watering and weeding. Juniper must be mulched after planting with peat, wood chips or sawdust (5-8 cm layer); heat-loving varietal junipers mulch for the winter. Juniper shearing depends on the type and growing conditions; but it is necessary to remove dry branches. The columnar juniper needs to be tied up for the winter, as it may not withstand the weight of the snow. Frost-resistant species of junipers do not need to be covered for the winter (only young plantings are an exception).
For the winter, the common juniper must be tied up, as it may suffer from snow pressure. Common juniper twigs do not fully regenerate if dropped to the ground. Forms with an openwork crown are wind-resistant, while compact ones are wind-resistant and require a protected place. Common juniper grows well on almost any, not too fertile, not heavy substrate (from dry to fresh and from acidic to alkaline). The soil for common juniper needs to be drained. On heavy substrates, the root system of the common juniper is poorly fixed, and it becomes wind resistant.
Juniper is transplanted in spring before bud break or in autumn. When transplanting, it is undesirable to deepen the root neck. garden forms junipers easily tolerate transplantation, and those taken from nature are very bad.
reproduction
Juniper is propagated by seeds (appear in the first or second year), layering and cuttings.
For seed propagation, only freshly harvested seeds are used. When stored in normal conditions juniper seeds lose their germination after 1-2 years. When spring sowing, juniper seeds for five months (a month at a temperature of 20-30o C, four months at a temperature of 14-15o C).
Creeping forms of junipers are propagated by layering, and valuable breeds by grafting. Varietal junipers are propagated only by green cuttings taken from young plants.
Juniper planting depends on the species; for tall and spreading forms, the distance between plantings is from 0.5 to 2 m. Planting depth depends on the root system and is usually about 70 cm, but may vary. If the soil is waterlogged, you need to put drainage (broken brick and sand) in a layer of 15-20 cm.
Popular varieties
Varieties of common juniper
‘Green Carpet’. Creeping dense plant from 0.2 to 0.3 m tall and 1 to 1.5 m wide with dark green needles. Juniper ‘Green Carpetd85iwsnq is very winter-hardy.
‘Hibernica’. Dense, compact, slow growing shrub 3 to 4 m tall and 0.8 to 1.2 m wide. The color of the needles is from gray-green to bluish-green. Hibernica juniper must be harvested for the winter, as it may suffer from snowfall. Juniper ordinary Hibernika has a dense shape and almost does not change the color of the needles.
'Hornibrookii'. Domed shrub 0.5 to 0.8 m tall and 1.5 to 3 m wide; covers the ground like a creeping plant. The color of the needles of the juniper 'Hornibrookii' is from light green to dark green. The plant covers large areas; to stop growth, you can pinch it.
'Meyer'. Compact, later openwork, vertically growing, columnar or conical shrub 3 to 5 m tall and 1 to 1.5 m wide with silver-green needles. It has a beautiful columnar shape.
'Repanda'. A flat, carpet-forming shrub, 0.3 to 0.5 m tall and 1.5 to 2 m wide, with dark green needles. It grows very slowly. This variety is used as a groundcover.
‘Sucica’. Dense, conical shrub 3 to 5 m tall and 1 to 1.5 m wide with grey- or bluish-green needles and drooping tips. Juniperus 'Suecica' is slow growing and does not tolerate heavy soils.
Varieties of Chinese juniper
Varieties of juniper horizontal
‘Andorra Compact’. Initially cushion-shaped, then prostrate shrub 0.4 to 0.7 m tall and 2 to 3 m wide. The color of the needles is gray-green in summer and blue or crimson in winter. Juniper ‘Andorra Compact’ is very decorative, its branches rise up.
'Prince of Wales'. Dense, prostrate shrub 0.3 to 0.5 m tall and 1.5 to 3 m wide. The needles are pale green, changing color in winter (bronze-green). Very winter-hardy variety juniper.
'Wiltonii'. Widely procumbent, cushion-shaped, dense, dwarf shrub with creeping shoots. Height - from 0.2 to 0.3 m; width - from 1.5 to 3 m. Numerous blue berries with a bluish bloom are formed on the plant.
Varieties of juniper medium
‘Hetzii’. Broad shrub or asymmetric tree 2 to 5 m tall and 3 to 6 m wide with bluish-gray needles. A very picturesque variety of juniper with numerous dove-colored fruits, which are poisonous. Very hardy and hardy shrub.
'Mint Julep'. Broad asymmetrical shrub 2 to 3 m tall and 2 to 4 m wide with very decorative bright green needles.
'Old Gold'. Compact, broad shrub 1 to 2 m tall and 2 to 3 m wide. The needles are golden yellow in winter and bronze yellow in summer. Juniper ‘Old Gold’ is hardy.
‘Pfitzeriana’. Massive, tree-like, very wide shrub 3 to 4 m high and 4 to 8 m wide. The needles are gray-green. Juniper Fitzeriana grows strongly, lends itself to a haircut; very stable and winter hardy.
‘Pfitzeriana Aurea’. A prostrate shrub 2 to 3 m tall and 2 to 5 m wide with yellowish-green needles. Juniper 'Fitzeriana Aurea' appears greener than 'Old Gold'.
Varieties of juniper Cossack
Varieties of juniper scaly
'Blue Carpet'. A prostrate dwarf shrub with creeping shoots from 0.3 to 0.8 m tall and 1.5 to 2.5 m wide. Juniper ‘Blue Carpet’ grows fast. The color of the needles is intense blue. Juniper ‘Blue Carpet’ is very resistant.
'Blue Star'. A small, cushion-shaped, compact juniper ‘Blue Star’ reaches a height of 0.5 to 1 m; its width is from 0.7 to 1.5 m. The color of the needles is bright, silvery blue. Juniper ‘Blue Star’ lends itself well to molding.
‘Meyeri’. Large, upright, asymmetrical shrub 3 to 6 m tall and 2 to 4 m wide. The needles are bright, silver-blue. Ideal for topiary haircuts, becomes denser after trimming. Does not tolerate heavy soils. It is better to plant in places protected from the wind.
Varieties of rocky juniper
‘Skyrocket’. Dense columnar shrub 5 to 8 m high and 0.5 to 1 m wide. The needles are scaly, gray-green or bluish-green. Juniper rocky ‘Skyrocket’ does not tolerate shade, grows only in the sun. Juniper rocky ‘Skyrocket’ has a very deep root system, therefore it is resistant to gusts of wind. The shrub is frost-resistant, drought-resistant, tolerates high temperatures. Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ grows in any well-drained soil.
‘Blue arrow’. Juniper ‘Blue arrow’ is a narrow-columnar shrub from 5 to 8 m high and 0.5 to 1 m wide. Rocky juniper ‘Blue arrow’ grows in the sun, does not tolerate shade. The plant is undemanding to soil conditions, grows on well-drained substrates. Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ is similar in its characteristics to rocky juniper ‘Skyrocket’, but has a denser columnar shape. Rock Juniper ‘Blue arrow’ is resistant to snow damage.
Varieties of juniper virginsky
‘Canaertii’. Asymmetric, vertically growing small tree from 5 to 7 m tall and 2 to 4 m wide with openwork, very decorative shoots. The color of the needles is an even dark green. The variety is very stable; tolerates a haircut well. The plant produces numerous bluish-white berries.
‘Glauca’. Initially columnar, compact, small tree 6 to 10 m tall and 2 to 4 m wide. Later it becomes conical, openwork. The needles are bluish-gray, becoming bronze at the ends in winter. Not too cold hardy. Old, free-growing plants have an unusual crown shape.
'Grey Owl'. A prostrate, asymmetrical, funnel-shaped shrub 2 to 3 m tall and 3 to 5 m wide with pale green or bluish green needles. Fast growing, resistant variety.
