Description of juniper needles. Juniper species, care and cultivation features. Other undersized varieties
Among the plants that adorn our gardens, conifers have 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 decorations in our apartments, under the caps of snow in large parks and squares, and in very small areas.
As for the planted conifers, then we can say that the sympathies of gardeners are almost evenly distributed among different types firs, pines, thujas, junipers and larch trees. All of them can be called centenarians, many of them even live for more than one hundred years.
Almost all conifers are evergreen. Only some of them, for example, larch, shed their needles for the winter. All the rest renew their needles gradually. Every few years old needles fall off, and new young green needles appear in their place.
The variety of conifers 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 a lack of light and moisture well
- Many varieties naturally have the correct shape and therefore do not need a haircut.
- Due to the healing 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 on sites of any size
If you decide to plant on your site coniferous plant, the choice must be approached very carefully.
Key questions to answer yourself:
- What do you want to plant - a tree or a shrub
- Is the composition for the ephedra ready
- 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 choosing the variety, type and shape of a coniferous plant.
Types of conifers
Spruce
An evergreen monoecious and wind-pollinated plant. Its Latin name (lat. Pícea) Spruce is due to the high resin content in the wood. Widespread use in industry due to the softness of the wood and the lack of a core.
Spruce - perhaps the most beloved and widespread 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 species of spruce are well known.
Spruce is considered a fairly shade-tolerant plant, however, it still prefers good lighting. Its root system is superficial, i.e. close to the ground. Therefore, the earth is not dug up at the roots. Spruce is demanding on soil fertility, loves light loamy and sandy loam soils.
Types of spruce trees successfully used in landscaping the site:
Sometimes it reaches 40 meters. Fast growing tree. Due to the special coloring of the needles - the top is a shiny dark green, and the bottom - with noticeable white stripes - it seems that the tree is bluish-green. The brown-purple buds give the plant a special charm and grace.
Serbian spruce looks great, both in single and in group planting. The magnificent alleys in the parks are an excellent example.
There are dwarf varieties no more than 2 meters high.
(Picea obovata). On the territory of our country, it grows in Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East and the Urals.
Coniferous tree up to 30 m high. The crown is dense, broad-conical, with a pointed top. The bark is fissured, gray. Cones are ovate-cylindrical, brown. It has several subtypes, differing in the color of the needles - from pure green to silvery and even golden.
European spruce, or ordinary (Picea abies). The maximum height of a coniferous tree is 50 m. It can live up to 300 years. It 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 a common spruce are oblong-cylindrical. They ripen in autumn in October and their seeds begin to fall from January to April. The European spruce is considered the fastest growing. So, in a year it can grow by 50 cm.
Thanks to breeding work, several very decorative varieties of this species have been bred to date. 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 arrival of winter. Any shade of needles effectively emphasizes the snow cover, and the garden looks elegant and noble.
In addition to the aforementioned types of spruce, prickly spruce, eastern, black, Canadian, and ayan spruce are popular among gardeners.
The pine genus consists of more than 100 items. These conifers are found throughout almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. Also, pine grows well in woodlands in Asia and North America. Artificially planted pine plantations are doing well in the southern hemisphere of our planet. It is much more difficult for this coniferous tree to take root in urban conditions.
It tolerates frost and drought well. But the pine doesn't really like the lack of light. This coniferous plant produces 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. This coniferous tree prefers sandy, calcareous and stony soil... Although there are several types of pine that prefer fertile soils, these are Weymouth, Wallich pine, cedar and resinous.
Some of the properties of pine are simply amazing. For example, the peculiarity of its bark is delightful, when the bottom bark is much thicker than the one above. This makes us think once again about the wisdom of nature. After all, it is this property that protects the tree from summer overheating and a possible grassland fire.
Another feature is how the tree is prepared in advance for winter period... After all, 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 are closed. Those. the pine tree stops breathing!
Scots pine... It is rightfully considered a symbol of the Russian forest. The tree reaches a height of 35-40 meters, and therefore is deservedly called a tree of the first magnitude. The trunk circumference sometimes reaches 1 meter. The pine needles are dense, gray-green. The shape is different - sticking out, curved, and even collected in bunches of 2 needles.
The lifespan of needles is 3 years. With the onset of autumn, the needles turn yellow and fall off.
Pine cones, as a rule, are arranged in 1-3 pieces on the legs. Ripe buds are brown or brown in color and reach a length of 6 cm.
In unfavorable conditions, the Scots pine can stop growing and remain a "dwarf". Surprisingly, different specimens may have different root systems. For example, in arid soils, pine trees can develop a taproot that extracts water deep underground. And in conditions of high groundwater occurrence, lateral roots develop.
Scots pine can live up to 200 years. History knows cases when the pine lived for 400 years.
Scots pine is considered to be fast growing. For a year, its growth can be 50-70 cm. This coniferous tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 15. In forest conditions and dense planting - only after 40 years.
Latin name Pinus mugo. It is a multi-stemmed coniferous tree reaching a height of 10-20 meters. Dwarf varieties - 40-50 cm. Trunks - semi-lying and ascending. In adulthood, it can reach a diameter of 3 m. It is 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. Very badly tolerates urban conditions. Especially at a young age, it often freezes. Prefers places protected from the wind. 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 are ovoid, almost sessile. In total, there are about 10 varieties of yellow pine.
A very spectacular variety of pine. Homeland - North America. The needles have a blue-green tint. The cones are large and somewhat curved. A mature tree can grow over 30 meters in height. 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 got its name thanks to the English Lord Weymouth, who brought it home from North America in the 18th century.
Poorly tolerates salty soils and. 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. It is a slow-growing tree. The bark is light gray, lamellar. The needles are bright green, hard, curved. Cones are yellowish, shiny, long. The crown diameter can reach 5-6 meters.
Some experts consider it pine of Geldreich... Indeed, the similarities are great. However, since there are varieties under both names, we will still focus on white pine. To date, about 10 varieties of this species are known. The Geldreich pine has about the same. Often varieties can be mixed.
This type of pine in the conditions of our country best takes root in southern regions, as it does not tolerate frost. White pine is light-requiring, to nutritional composition the soil is undemanding, but it grows best on moderately moist, drained and moderately alkaline soils.
Looks good in Japanese, rocky and heather gardens. Great for both solitary planting and mixed group.
Fir
High (up to 60 m) coniferous tree with a conical crown. A bit like a spruce. The diameter can reach 2 meters. This is a real long-lived plant. Some specimens live for 400-700 years. The trunk of the fir is straight, columnar. The crown is thick. At a young age, the crown of a fir 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 extreme heat. The pluses include the fact that it is the most shade-tolerant tree. Sometimes seedlings can appear under the mother tree in full shade conditions. Fir naturally grow better in good lighting.
This coniferous plant is a real find in landscape gardening. Fir is used both in single planting and to decorate alleys. Dwarf forms look great in a rocky garden and on an alpine slide.
Botanical name Abies balsamea "Nana". This coniferous plant is a dwarf cushion tree. It grows naturally in North America.
It is unpretentious in leaving. Likes good lighting, but tolerates shadows well too. For balsam fir, it is not so much frost that 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 garden decoration, terraces, slopes and roofs.
Propagated by seeds and annual cuttings with apical bud.
The needles are dark green with a special sheen. It emits a characteristic resinous aroma. The cones are red-brown, elongated, reaching a length of 5-10 cm.
It is a very slow growing coniferous plant. For 10 years, it grows no more than 30 cm.Lives up to 300 years.
Nordman fir (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 neat, conical. It is for this neat appearance that gardeners love Nordman fir.
It is she who is dressed up instead of a Christmas tree for the 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. it distinctive 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 be up to two meters in diameter. At a young age, the bark of the Caucasian fir is grayish-brown, smooth. As it matures, it cracks into segments and becomes dull.
The Nordman fir grows rather quickly. Under favorable conditions, this coniferous tree can live up to 600-700 years. Moreover, the growth in height and width continues until the very last day of life!
Depending on the type of soil, the root system can be either superficial or deepened with a central core. The cones of this fir are large, up to 20 cm, located vertically on a short stem.
It has a unique property - the needles on the branches remain even after they dry, up to mechanical damage.
A coniferous evergreen plant belonging to the Cypress family. Maybe as a tree or 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. Low-growing species are quite common, which creep along the ground and rocky slopes.
Today, more than fifty species of juniper are known.
As a rule, it is a light-loving and drought-resistant crop. Completely undemanding to soil and temperature. 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 span is about 500 years.
Juniper needles are bluish-green, triangular, pointed at the ends. The cones are spherical, gray or of blue color... Taproot.
Magical properties were also attributed to this coniferous plant. For example, the juniper wreath was believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck. Perhaps that is why there is a fashion in Europe to hang wreaths on the eve of the new year.
In landscape design, both trees and juniper shrubs are widely used. Group plantings are good for creating hedges. Single plants also do an excellent job of the main role in the composition. Low-growing creeping varieties are often used as ground cover plants. They reinforce slopes well and prevent soil erosion. In addition, juniper lends itself well to shearing.
Scaly Juniper (Juniperus squamata) - creeping shrub. The dense branches with the same dense needles look very decorative.
Evergreen coniferous plant. Looks like trees or shrubs. Depending on the genus and species, it differs in color, quality of needles, crown shape, height and life span. Some species live up to 150 years. At the same time, there are specimens - true centenarians, which last almost 1000 years!
In landscape gardening, thuja is considered one of the basic plants, and like any ephedra it is good both in group planting and as a solo plant. It is used to decorate alleys, hedges and curbs.
The most common types of thuja are western, eastern, giant, Korean, Japanese, etc.
Thuja needles are soft needle-like. In a young plant, the needles are light green in color. With age, the needles acquire a darker shade. Fruits are oval or oblong cones. The seeds ripen in the first year.
Thuja is famous for its unpretentiousness. She tolerates frost well, and is not capricious in leaving. Unlike other conifers, it tolerates gas pollution well in large cities. Therefore, it is irreplaceable in urban landscaping.
Larch
Coniferous plants with needles falling for the winter. This is partly due to its name. These are large, light-loving and winter-hardy plants that grow quickly, are undemanding to soil and tolerate air pollution well.
Larches are especially beautiful in early spring and late autumn. In spring, larch needles acquire a pale green hue, and in autumn - bright yellow. Since the needles grow every year, its needles are very soft.
Larch bears fruit since 15 years. Cones have an ovoid-conical shape, somewhat vaguely reminiscent of a rose flower. They reach a length of 6 cm. Young cones are purple in color. As they mature, they acquire a brown hue.
Larch - a 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, depending on the type and conditions, 25-80 meters in height.
In addition, larch is a very useful tree. He has a very hard and durable wood. In industry, its red core is in the greatest demand. Also, larch is appreciated in traditional medicine... Folk healers harvest its young shoots, buds and larch resin, from which they obtain "Venetian" turpentine (turpentine), which is used for many diseases. The bark is harvested throughout the summer and is used as a vitamin remedy.
Photos of conifers
Enjoy the beauty of nature with us
Juniper plant in the photo
Ornamental types of junipers, both in personal plots and in Russian gardens, are still relatively rare. And not at all because they are not worthy of proper attention. On the contrary, judging by the description of the species of juniper, among the conifers, these trees are perhaps the most beautiful.They are distinguished by a varied shape, graceful needles and decorative fruits.
In addition, it is unlikely that there is still the same natural air ozonizer that cleans it from harmful organisms in a short time and in a significant radius. It is not for nothing that 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 rocky mountain soils.
More than 20 species of juniper tree are known in Europe and Asia, in Russia no more than five or six are common. They are very different both in appearance and in biological requirements.
Juniper is an evergreen coniferous plant belonging to the Cypress family. These can be trees from 12 to 30 m in height. There are also ornamental juniper shrubs - creeping (up to 40 cm in height) and erect (up to 1-3 m). The leaves (needles) of this plant are acicular or scaly.
Look at the photo of what different types of juniper look like:
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 are berry-like, with a bluish bloom, bearing 1-10 seeds. Blossoming 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. Strong 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 phytoncidal effect. The pine scent kills microorganisms and repels insects, especially mosquitoes.
The smell of juniper can improve the well-being of those suffering from angina pectoris, relieve insomnia. Well-known beneficial role of pillows for sleeping with dry juniper bark and steam, bath brooms, relieve joint and neurological pain.
Branches of all types of conifers, juniper with live needles, are popularly used to fumigate an infected room or simply to refresh 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 conical crown.
Young shoots in this species are green at first, then reddish, glabrous, round. The bark of branches and trunks is grayish-brown, dark, scaly-flaky. The needles are 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. Begins to bear fruit at the age of 5-10. Single or several cones, spherical, up to 10 mm in diameter.
As you can see in the photo of a juniper, the fruit of the tree in a mature state is dark blue with a bluish waxy bloom:
Common juniper 
Common juniper
The berries have a resinous smell and a sweetish-pleasant taste. Contains up to 40% sugar. The bountiful harvest is repeated after 3-4 years. Pine berries are collected, shaking them off 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. When transplanted without a lump, the earth takes root with difficulty. Propagated by seeds that ripen within 2-3 years and have an oblong shape and brownish-brown color.
Known decorative forms common juniper:
Juniper "Pyramidal" in the photo
"Pyramidal" with a columnar crown,
"Pressed" - undersized shrub with dense dark green needles,
"Horizontal" - low creeping shrub, densely covered with blue-green needles, sharp and thorny.
Look at the photo of the varieties of this type of juniper:
Juniper 
Juniper
These plants propagate by cuttings and grafting. The 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 ordinary juniper were known and used in Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and Russia. It is a good urinary 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 complete recovery.
In the 17th century, oil and alcohol were made from juniper fruits in Russia. The latter went to the manufacture of 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, frostbite.
The fruits of this juniper are used as a seasoning. They give a special forest flavor to poultry and game dishes. The fruits are also used as a substitute for coffee. They are still used to prepare jelly, marmalade, syrup, which is added to jelly, confectionery and bakery products.
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 - 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 dachas and personal plots is used in single and group plantings, as well as for hedges:
Juniper in dachas and household plots
The name of this type of juniper is most often heard by everyone, since it is the most studied and used as a medicinal plant.
In autumn, the fruits of the juniper are harvested. They are aromatic, black-brown in color and sweet-spicy in taste. They are used to prepare infusions and decoctions (1 tablespoon of crushed fruits in a glass of water), which are prescribed as a diuretic and disinfectant for kidney disease, 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, 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. The fruits are contraindicated in acute inflammatory processes in the kidneys.
Juniper Cossack in the photo
Juniper Cossack - a low, creeping shrub with recumbent or ascending branches covered with dense needles with a silvery tint.
Unlike the common juniper, the Cossack pine berries are poisonous. They are small, spherical, brown-black in color with a bluish bloom and a very unpleasant odor.
By touching the ground, the branches of the plant can take root. Growing up, juniper forms large clumps 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 for landscaping, for strengthening rocky slopes, in decorative groups on lawns.
When this type of juniper is propagated by green cuttings, the 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 of this kind of juniper as
Juniper "columnar" 
Juniper "upright",
"Columnar", "erect",
Juniper form "cypress-leaved" 
Juniper form "motley"
"Cypress", "variegated"
Juniper form "tamariksolistnaya"
and "Tamarix-leaved".
The most interesting is "white-bordered" with almost white needles at the ends of the branches. Each is decorative in its own way and differs in the shade and shape of the 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 bloom, contain 2-6 pcs. seeds. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant.
Chinese juniper in the photo
Juniper chinese - 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 (oppositely and acicular, in whorls of three), on the shoots - scaly, rhombic, obtuse, tightly pressed to the shoot up to 1.5 mm in length. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Cones are single or in groups, spherical or ovoid, 6-10 mm in size, ripe - blue-black.
This type of juniper prefers fertile, well-hydrated soils. Drought does not tolerate well. Without visible damage, it tolerates a temperature drop down to -30 °.
As you can see in the photo, this decorative juniper is used for single, group and alley plantings:
Juniper on the site 
Juniper on the site
Of the many decorative forms on summer cottages grow the form of "variegated" - with whitish tips of shoots, "fitzeriana" - with spreading branches directed upwards and drooping branches. An interesting variegated undersized form - 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.
Siberian juniper 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 virginsky in the photo
Red cedar - monoecious evergreen tree. This juniper looks like a real giant - its height reaches 20 m. Its homeland is North America. Crohn - narrow ovate, needles are long (up to 13 mm) and prickly. Cones ripen in the fall, already in the first year. They are dark blue, with a waxy 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 common. 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 Virginia juniper are plants with columnar and pyramidal crowns; with drooping and spreading branches with gray needles, with a rounded spherical crown and bright green needles.
Long-coniferous juniper - 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, tough, prickly, shiny.
In this species of juniper plant, cones are single and in groups, spherical or oval 5-10 mm in diameter, mature - black, with a weak bluish bloom. Seeds are triangular in shape.
This type of juniper is suitable for group and single plantings, for decorative design slopes and rocky places, because it is not picky about soil and moisture. Propagated by seeds.
Known forms with a spherical crown and a compact pyramidal bush.
Juniper undersized - basically it is a shrub up to 1 m tall. Stems are recumbent, rooting. Young shoots are green, naked. The bark of branches and trunks is brown, on old ones it is scaly-flaky. This variety of juniper has needles in whorls of three, prickly, tough, up to 1 cm long, gray-green.
The cones are single or in groups, almost spherical, 5-10 mm in diameter, mature - black with a bluish bloom, 2-3 seeds, wrinkled, tetrahedral.
In the design of the garden, it is suitable for single plantings on lawns, ridges, rocky hills, for landscaping slopes. It is undemanding to soils.
Among the natural forms of the undersized species, the most popular are "Glauka" with recumbent branches and bluish-gray needles, as well as the "Renta" form with obliquely upward directed arcuate branches with weak-gray needles. Propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering.
Juniper reddish - tree or shrub. Young shoots and needles are green, and later become yellowish in color. The bark is brown-gray, scaly. On top of the needles are two original white stripes. The needles are grooved, prickly and shiny in shape.
The cones are spherical, 10 mm in diameter, when mature, they are reddish-brown, shiny, without a bluish bloom.
The species is decorative with yellow needles and reddish cones. It differs from other species in insufficient cold resistance. Propagated by seeds, of which there are 2-3 pieces in a cone. They are brown and slightly triangular.
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, peeling off with age. The needles are opposite opposite, 2-5 mm long, pointed, ovate-lanceolate in shape, rarely acicular, gray-green.
Cones are single, 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, therefore it can be used in curbs. Propagated by seeds.
Juniper scaly - slow growing shrub with an oval crown. At a young age - the crown is rounded, the twigs are raised, bluish green. The needles are needle-like, prickly, gray-gray, short, dense, collected in whorls. Fruits - red-brown cones; when ripe in the second year, they become almost black.
Grow various forms this juniper, among which there are plants with a spherical, vase-shaped, spread-out crown.
In our gardens given view juniper most often occurs in the form:
"Blue Star" is a shrub 40-45 cm high and a crown diameter of 50 cm with silvery blue and very thorny needles. It looks good on alpine slides as well as in containers.
It is quite frost-hardy, but often suffers from the spring sun.
Juniper breeding methods and growing conditions (with photo)
The method of reproduction of the juniper is chosen depending on the species - seeds, green cuttings, layering.
The seeds ripen in cones a year or two after flowering. The buds are left hanging on the tree until sowing. Sowing is best done in the fall (November) in the sowing grooves, into which it is imperative to add soil from under an adult juniper plant, meaning the introduction of mycorrhiza into the new soil. If sowing is done in spring, then preliminary stratification of seeds in wet sand is needed, in the first month at a temperature of +20 ... + 30 °, and then for 4 months - at +14 ... + 15 °. Sowing substrate - 1 part of sifted sod land and 1 part of coniferous sawdust.
As shown in the photo, when reproducing juniper, planting with green cuttings in greenhouses gives good results, and in summer in greenhouses:
Reproduction of juniper 
Reproduction of juniper
Green cuttings are indispensable for the propagation of garden forms. Cuttings are taken with a "heel" only from young plants.
The substrate - 1 part of peat, 1 part of a juniper needle - is placed on a layer of compost, covered with a layer of sod soil taken from under a juniper plant. The cuttings are sprayed 4-5 times a day. Most suitable date for cutting cuttings - April. For better rooting, cuttings should be treated with a growth stimulant by immersing them for 24 hours in a solution of "Epin", "Zircon", "Root", "Kornevin", "Kornerost" or another drug.
One of the main conditions for growing junipers is compliance temperature regime... The optimum air temperature for cuttings should be +23 ... + 24 ° at a relative humidity of 80-83%.
After 1-1.5 months, a thickening appears on the cuttings of the juniper - callus. Immediately after that, they are transferred to the ridges, where they hibernate.
Care and cultivation of junipers is easy, since all types of these plants are unpretentious, thriving on a wide variety of soils, up to sands and wetlands, however, preference is given to light nutritious substrates.
Most species are photophilous, resistant to drought, sudden temperature fluctuations, and disease and pest attacks.
Given the peculiarities of growing junipers, it is impossible to dig up the soil under these plants in the fall 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, the secrets of the agrotechnology of growing junipers in the culture, of course, are, as evidenced by their frequent loss of decorativeness, and sometimes sudden death.
Planting a seedling in a permanent place is fraught with difficulties, since the juniper does not like transplants. A tree for transplanting is dug in a circle and, together with a lump of earth, is transferred to a new place. In this case, the goal is to minimize trauma to the root system.
For successful care for juniper, planting dates are determined by root growth. Juniper has two growth periods: early spring (March) and mid-summer (June-July). However, according to weather conditions, the second, summer period not suitable because of drought. At the same time, planting in the fall may be considered appropriate. During the winter, the plant is dormant, and with the beginning of spring it begins to actively root.
These photos show planting and caring for junipers on personal plot:
Juniper in a personal plot
Junipers are worthy of widespread use in the design of summer cottages. Their decorative forms are especially picturesque. They are not only beautiful, but, emitting phytoncides, like all conifers, heal our environment.
Each of the most common types of juniper has its own specificity and value.
Low-growing forms of junipers are successfully used as ground cover.
Juniper like a silvery blue carpet
Forms such as "Glauka", "Blue Star"and "Old Gold", are able to create a beautiful silver-blue carpet under 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 hills. They are good in a quiet corner formed by trees, grasses and perennials.
Conifers are beauty all year round, their resistance to the changing seasons invariably attracts gardeners and landscape designers... For the most part, they are undemanding to growing conditions and care, they firmly endure both summer heat and winter cold. In addition, at present there are many varieties of conifers - 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 fits anywhere. Spruce will look great both as a centerpiece and as a backdrop for other plants; in a single planting, in a group, as a hedge. Currently, there are more than 40 types of spruce, including natural origin, and hybrid varieties. Many of the natural species have several ornamental varieties.
Spruce is a long-lived tree; in Sweden, a spruce grows in a national park, which is 9550 years old. This is a record figure even for spruce trees, the average life span of which is 200-500 years. The long-liver got its own name - Old Tikko.
The spruce grows slowly, in 10 years it grows only up to one and a half meters in height, but it grows for centuries. In natural 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 conical or pyramidal, with whorled, outstretched or drooping branches.
The roots of young trees are pivotal, but with age the main root dries up, it is replaced by numerous shoots that spread horizontally and shallowly in the ground.
The bark is gray or brownish gray, with thin exfoliating plates. The needles are tetrahedral, short, sharp, green. Each needle grows separately, from a leaf cushion, which 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, they are picked up by the wind and carried 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-gray spruce:
Cedar
Cedar is another coniferous tree with numerous and attractive forms for designers. Naturally, if it is a real cedar, not a cedar pine. The cedar differs from other conifers in the location of the needles, it is collected in bunches of 20-50 pieces, while in pines and spruces it is single. A similar attachment of needles is observed in larch, but its needles are soft, while in cedar they are prickly and tough, and do not fall off in autumn.
The cones of the cedar stand on the branches, and do not hang down, like in pines and firs. They are similar in shape to fir cones, but rounder. After ripening, they crumble into pieces, while the seeds are scattered by the wind.
The shape of the crown is also unique. In the Lebanese cedar, it is wide, spreading 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 needles are 3-4 cm long, they are collected in bundles of 30-40 pieces.
Atlas cedar
Atlas cedar has a conical crown, which is similar to an ordinary spruce. His needles are also collected in bunches, they are very short - about 2.5 cm. In color, they are silver-gray, or blue-green.
There is even a weeping form of the Atlas cedar, which will no doubt become a highlight of the landscape, especially if it is a rocky Japanese garden with a natural or artificial reservoir. See the photo:
Atlas cedar
Its branches hang down just like a weeping willow, only instead of delicate leaves there are thorny needles that look unusual, but quite gentle and attractive:
Atlas cedar
Himalayan cedar
Himalayan cedar has a wide conical 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 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 belong to evergreen trees growing up to 50-60 meters in height. At an early age, they grow slowly, then they grow faster.
The bark of young specimens is smooth, with age it becomes scaly, cracking, dark gray in color.
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, as it were, suggests that it will not take up much space in your garden, and does not require special care. But not all cypresses are laconic; there are shrubs with wide, spreading crowns among them. This large 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 United States.
The leaves of cypresses are small, at first they are acicular, similar to needles, then - scale-like, tightly pressed against 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.
Evergreen cypress
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. It has been cultivated in culture since ancient times; it is a real long-liver, capable of living for more than 2 thousand years. In Turkey, it is considered a tree of sorrow, and is planted in cemeteries. In the photo there are evergreen cypresses:
Evergreen cypress
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 tolerates frosts down to -25 degrees, but young trees for the winter must be covered with agrofibre.
Arizona cypress
Large cypress
Large-fruited cypress has a columnar crown. But this feature occurs only in young specimens; with age, the branches become flat, bend and form a wide, spreading crown.
The needles of large-fruited cypress have a pleasant lemon scent, so they are willingly grown in winter gardens, or in the bonsai culture.
Large cypress
Weeping cypress
Weeping cypress is the owner of drooping branches. The plant is native to 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 conical crown. Branches growing upward, or outstretched 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 cypress leaves are pointed, similar to small scales. Cones are not large, woody, round, up to 12 mm in diameter. The seeds ripen in the first year.
Weeping cypress
Lawson's cypress
Lawson's cypress is a tall and slender tree with a narrow, conical crown extending downward. The top is inclined to one side. The trunk has a thick, reddish-brown bark that becomes patchy and scaly over time. The needles are shiny, green, with whitish stripes. Cones are oval and round, about 1 cm in diameter, light brown, with a bluish bloom.
In general, the tree is very beautiful, it looks great in alleys and in plantings together with cypress trees of other species, but, unfortunately, low frost resistance does not allow growing it in regions with severe winters. In the photo, Lawson's cypress:
Lawson's cypress
Pea cypress
Pea cypress is a tall, up to 30 meters, tree with a conical crown, originally from Japan. Outwardly, from a distance it looks like deciduous trees, but its needles are the same as that of all members of the family.
Pea cypress
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria - The name of this evergreen tree is often spelled 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, and does not belong to the genus of cedars.
In nature, there is only one species of this plant, there are still no hybrid varieties based on it, 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 subulate, more like rose thorns than needles, but longer up to 3 cm. The color of the needles is light green, but in winter it becomes yellowish.
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 in length.
In the photo, Japanese cryptomeria:
Japanese cryptomeria
Larch
Larch is a deciduous tree of the Pine family. The leaves of this tree are very similar to needles, but in the fall they fall off, and in the 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 a trunk diameter of about 1 meter. For a year, the growth is 1 meter, larch is a long-liver, capable of living up to 400 years, but it is rarely used in culture.
Her crown is not dense, in young specimens it is conical, 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 they grow spirally, and on short ones - in bunches, like those of 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 beautiful sprawling spruce:
Larch
Microbiota
Microbiota is a coniferous shrub of the Cypress family. There is only one species of this plant - the cross-pair microbiota growing in the Russian Far East. The number of the species is decreasing, due to the fact that the seeds cannot spread far from the parent bush, and perennial thickets are destroyed by forest fires, therefore the species is included in the Red Book of Russia.
This is a sprawling shrub with thin creeping shoots, so it can be mistaken for a creeping thuja form. The needles are scaly, green in summer and brown in winter; in young plants, they are needle-like on shaded shoots. Cones are small, single-seeded, consisting of 2-3 scales. The root system is fibrous, dense.
Microbiota grows very slowly, it gives out 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, microbiota looks very appropriate in single and group plantings, 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 open spaces, and can live up to 600 years.
Treelike junipers are able to form separate forests, shrubs grow as an undergrowth or third layer in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as on stony 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, acicular, 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 from 1 to 10 seeds, which ripen for 2 years.
Juniper
Fir
Fir is a coniferous tree of the Pine family. Just like a cedar, its cones grow upward 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 there are cones of Korean fir:
Taproot, deep deep. The needles are flat, with a pointed or rounded tip, on the branches they are located singly or spirally.
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 the lost traveler. On conifers tiny roses bloomed as larch cones transformed the gloomy and inaccessible forest.
Larch image
It is not surprising that larch trees were the object of worship in ancient times. These trees were sacred to many nations.
Larch helped to find peace of mind. The mighty strong trunks of the Larch became heroes of epics and even reincarnated into ancient gods.
For other peoples, Larch was considered a magical tree and was used by shamans in ceremonies and rituals, like Juniper.
In Buryatia, they came to the spirit of the 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, the resin-rich Larch glistens in the sun, as if it were greased.
According to another version, the Latin word comes from the Celtic lar, which means abundant. Apparently, we are also talking about resin.
Larch got its Russian name, most likely, 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. The larch grove is always bright and clear.
The tree can reach 45 meters in height and up to one and a half meters in diameter. The shape of the crown of the Larch depends on the locality and in what conditions the tree grows. Sprawling and curly, thin-leaved and tall, these trees delight the eye of travelers around the globe.
Some representatives of Larches are up to 1000 years old, but on average the trees live up to 500 - 600 years.
Where does larch grow
Larch is one of the most widespread trees in Russia. Withstanding even the most severe frosts in the Arctic Circle, Larch is able to grow in rather depleted soils.
In nature, larch is found in almost any area, it can form whole larch forests.
The most common types of Larch in our country are Siberian, European and Daurian. There are about 14 types of this beautiful tree.
Larch can be found in Siberia, Primorye, the Far East, and the Carpathians. Individual 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.
Female cones have a pinkish tint, which is why they are so similar to roses.
Cones ripen only in September and open up either in autumn or after wintering.
Medicinal properties of Larch
Tinder fungus collected from the larch trunk is very valuable and useful product... The Romans gave this mushroom the name "white agaricus" and appreciated it for its various properties.
The mushroom can be used as a natural soap. Agaricic acid is extracted from it - a valuable component of medicines.
Larch resin has disinfecting and bactericidal properties. In addition, the sap of Larch is rich in vitamins. During the war they lived to avoid vitamin deficiency.
Larch turpentine is used to treat pain and sprains, to eliminate pain in rheumatism and neuralgia.
Vitamin meal for animals is made from larch production waste.
Industrial applications
Not only natural soap is made from the Tinder fungus, but also red-brown paint is obtained.
On an industrial scale, the paint is extracted from the bark of the Larch.
Larch wood deserves special attention. Very dense, it should be well dried. Its strength can give odds to many species, such as apple and oak.
In the old days, the lower crown of the huts was made of larch. Since wood retains well and even enhances its properties in water, Larch is often used in the construction of walkways and wooden docks.
In industry, larch wood processing is quite expensive due to the high resin content that clogs the tool. In addition, larch timber harvesting is hampered by the inability to float logs down the river. because of high density Larch logs are unable to float.
Contraindications
Care must be taken when using tinder fungus for medicinal purposes. It is not recommended to use the mushroom for people in old age 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 a house with shingles, a larch trunk with a root was used to close the last seam. Bizarre skates were made from the root.
In the 19th century, Peter I prohibited the sale of larch forest to private individuals. Too much forest 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, the decision was made to saw the boards so that the annual layers are inclined at an angle of 45 degrees. The result of the decision can be observed to this day.
Larch is the most widespread species in the world.
The density of Larch after drying is so high that after hammering a nail into the wood, its extraction is impossible.
Venice is built on Siberian Larch piles.
Artificial silk can be made from Larch.
Family: cypress (Cupressaceae).
Homeland
In nature, juniper is found in the Northern Hemisphere from the polar zone to the mountainous tropics.
The form: coniferous shrub.
Description
The genus "juniper" has more than 60 species, which can differ significantly from each other. In general, a juniper is a shrub or tree up to 10 m high. The leaves of junipers are evergreen, scaly, or needle-like (sometimes both forms of leaves can be found on the same plant). Junipers with scaly leaves have a penetrating aromatic scent that is enhanced by exposure to sunlight and rain. In junipers with needle-like leaves, the smell is less pronounced. Monoecious or dioecious juniper flowers are inconspicuous, but the fruits - cones of gray or blue color - attract attention. Juniper is very durable and can reach 600-800 years old.
Common juniper (J. communis). Strictly upright shrub or tree 3 to 8 m in height and 1 to 3 m in width, with dense or delicate foliage. Common juniper grows slowly. The fruits are small, blue or black, not poisonous. Common juniper needles are acicular, bluish-green, pointed, triangular. Juniper ordinary sun-loving (thins in the shade), tolerates high temperatures, frost-resistant.
(J. sabina). Small, flat, outstretched shrub 0.5 to 1.5 m in height and 2 to 3 m in spread. Shoots are numerous, raised. The growth rate of Cossack juniper 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 acicular; very aromatic, dark green. All parts of the Cossack juniper are poisonous. The root system is very deep. Juniper Cossack grows in the sun, easily adapts; 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 highly alkaline).
Juniper chinese (J. chinensis). Large shrub or tree. The branches of the Chinese juniper have simultaneously two types of needles: scaly and needle-like. The needles are usually green, bluish green, or gray; in the shade or with strong pruning, the needles of Chinese juniper become acicular. The root system is deep, branched; Chinese juniper is wind-resistant. Juniper Chinese grows only in the sun, even in a light shade, it thins. Tolerates high temperatures; frost-resistant and easily adaptable. Juniper Chinese grow on any, relatively fertile, well-drained soil. Poorly tolerates dry air. Juniper Chinese in Middle lane Russia replaces 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 in height and 4 to 6 m in width. The shape of this type of juniper depends on the variety. Initially, the plant is compact and conical, then it becomes wider, asymmetrical and delicate. The branches of the Virginia juniper are bent upward. The average growth rate is 20-25 cm per year. The berries are bluish-white with a bluish bloom. The needles of the juniper of Virginia are usually scaly (acicular in the shade), richly dark or gray-green; turns dark red in winter. The root system is pivotal, sensitive. Juniper Virginia grows only in the sun, tolerates high temperatures, winter-hardy, drought and wind resistant. Easily adaptable. Juniper virginsky prefers fresh light clayey, loamy limestone and sandy soils. Juniper virginiana tolerates haircut and is suitable for topiary art. Old free-growing plants have a picturesque crown shape.
Juniper horizontal, or open juniper (J. horizontalis). Flat, open, dwarf shrub 0.2 to 0.3 m in height and 1.5 to 2 m in width with creeping shoots. Juniper horizontal forms a dense cushion; grows slowly. Fruits are bluish, rarely formed. Juniper needles are horizontal scaly; color - from green to metallic blue; in winter it often takes on a crimson or dark red hue. Juniper horizontal or open grows in the sun or in partial shade, tolerates high temperatures; winter-hardy; windproof. The horizontal juniper is undemanding to the composition of soils, is relatively resistant to salinity, easily adapts, however, grows poorly on heavy substrates. When the temperature drops, the needles of the horizontal juniper become brown.
Juniper scaly
(J. squamata). A small open shrub, 0.5 to 1.5 m in height and in width; the growth rate is average. The berries are black or brown. The needles are acicular, pointed, prickly, silvery-blue. The root system of the scaly juniper is superficial, the plant is windy. 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. Scaly juniper grows on any well-drained substrate. Scaly juniper tolerates strong pruning and recovers quickly. The light one contributes to the formation of a denser crown.
Rocky juniper (J. scopulorum). Shrub or small tree 10 to 18 tall. The crown of the rocky juniper is asymmetric, spherical, starts almost from the base. Young shoots are light or bluish green. The leaves of the rocky juniper are generally scaly. The berries are dark blue with a blue bloom. Rocky juniper is light-requiring, in the shade it loses its decorative effect. In addition, the plant is windy, requires planting in a sheltered place, and rocky juniper can suffer from heavy snowfalls. In appearance, the rocky juniper is close to the virgin juniper, but its branches are thinner and tougher.
Juniper daurian (J. davurica). Creeping shrub with ascending branches. The bark is gray, flaking. The needles of Daurian juniper are acicular, sharp; in good light - scaly. After the first frost it becomes brownish in color. Daurian juniper berries are small, dark blue with a bluish bloom. Juniper Daurian is undemanding to the composition of soils, photophilous, but tolerates light shading; drought-resistant. Suitable for slopes, slopes, planting in rock gardens.
Recumbent juniper, or juniper leaning (J. procumbens). Low-growing, creeping ground cover shrub from 0.5 to 0.75 m in height and up to 2 m in width. The homeland of the lying or leaning juniper is Japan. Shoots are open, firm.
Juniper oblong (J. oblonga). A small tree that resembles common juniper in appearance (sometimes classified as a subspecies of it). Differs in longer leaves. Juniper oblong is rarely found in culture.
Juniper Sargent (J. sargentii). It occurs naturally in Sakhalin, the Southern Kuriles, 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 needles in winter). The berries of the Sargent juniper are dark blue or black. Juniper Sargent is a very decorative, resistant, winter-hardy plant. Not picky about soil fertility, tolerates poor sandy and stony substrates.
Siberian juniper (J. sibirica). In nature, it is found in northern Europe, Siberia, North America, the mountains of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Crimea, The Far East... The Siberian juniper is a low-growing, creeping or spreading shrub up to 1 m in height. The berries of Siberian juniper have a bluish bloom; ripen in the second year. The Siberian juniper grows slowly, does not tolerate soil salinity, and does not tolerate transplantation. Rarely found in culture.
Juniper medium (J. x media). Very decorative, upright, asymmetrical, large, open shrub 2 to 5 m in height and 3 to 6 m in width. The branches of the middle juniper form layers, the lateral shoots are often raised. The juniper grows quickly. The berries are blue, formed in the second year. The needles of a juniper medium are scaly, color - from dull to blue-green; in the shade or after pruning, the needles become needle-shaped. The root system of a middle juniper is deep, branched, the plant is wind-resistant. The average juniper grows in the sun or in partial shade, tolerates high temperatures, and is winter-hardy. Juniper medium grows on any, relatively fertile, well-drained substrates; sensitive to soil compaction. Juniper medium tolerates haircut well and is suitable for topiary art.
Juniper solid
(J. rigida). Evergreen columnar tree up to 8 m tall with very tough, sharp, yellow-green needles. Solid juniper is very light-requiring, but undemanding to soil fertility; prefers dryish gravelly or sandy substrates; does not tolerate salinization. In nature, solid juniper is found only in Japan, on the Korea Peninsula, in Eastern China and in the south of Primorsky Krai. It is rare in culture, but deserves more popularity due to its great decorativeness (males are especially beautiful). The solid juniper is very beautiful as a tapeworm.
Juniper Turkestan (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 light-requiring, as a rule, they do not tolerate shading, including oppression from taller plants. Only the common juniper tolerates some shading. The composition of the soil can 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 gas-polluted atmosphere of the city.
Application
Junipers are extraordinarily 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 for creation, in group plantings; dwarf juniper and creeping juniper are planted in - and. Juniper in the garden "holds" 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 can be clipped well throughout the year.
Good partners for junipers are heather and erika, ground cover pines, roses, decorative cereals, wild perennials.
Care
Junipers are drought-resistant, but they grow better on soils of medium moisture. In dry summers, it is recommended to water the juniper (2-3 times per season is enough), and spray in the evening. They loosen the soil around the junipers (mainly young plantings) shallowly, after watering and weeding. Juniper must be mulched after planting with peat, wood chips or sawdust (5-8 cm layer); thermophilic varietal junipers mulch for the winter. Juniper trimming depends on the type and growing conditions; but it is necessary to remove dry branches. Columnar juniper must be tied 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 (the only exceptions are young plantings).
For the winter, the common juniper needs to be bandaged, as it can suffer from the pressure of the snow. Juniper branches are not fully restored if they have been lowered to the ground. Forms with an openwork crown are wind-resistant, and compact forms are windblow and require a protected place. The common juniper grows well on almost any, not too fertile, not heavy substrates (from dry to fresh and from acidic to alkaline). The soil for common juniper must be drained. On heavy substrates, the root system of the common juniper is poorly fixed, and it becomes unstable to wind.
Juniper transplant is carried out in the spring before bud break or in the fall. When transplanting, it is undesirable to deepen the root collar. Garden forms of junipers easily tolerate transplanting, and taken from nature - very poorly.
Reproduction
Junipers are propagated by seeds (appear in the first or second year), layering and cuttings.
For propagation by seed, only freshly harvested seeds are used. When stored in normal conditions juniper seeds lose germination after 1-2 years. With spring sowing, juniper seeds for five months (a month at a temperature of 20-30 ° C, four months at a temperature of 14-15 ° C).
The creeping forms of junipers are propagated by layering, and valuable species are propagated by grafting. Varietal junipers are propagated only by green cuttings taken from young plants.
Juniper planting depends on the species; for tall and forms with a spreading crown, the distance between plantings is from 0.5 to 2 m. The planting depth depends on the root system and is usually about 70 cm, but it can vary. If the soil is waterlogged, you need to put drainage (broken brick and sand) with a layer of 15-20 cm.
Popular varieties
Common juniper varieties
'Green Carpet'... Dense creeping plant 0.2 to 0.3 m in height and 1 to 1.5 m in width with dark green needles. Juniper 'Green Carpetd85iwsnq is very winter-hardy.
'Hibernica'... Dense, compact, slow-growing shrub from 3 to 4 m in height and from 0.8 to 1.2 m in width. The color of the needles is from gray-green to bluish-green. Juniper Khybernika must be tightened for the winter, as it may suffer from snowfalls. The common juniper Khybernika has a dense shape and almost does not change the color of the needles.
‘Hornibrookii’... Dome-shaped shrub from 0.5 to 0.8 m in height and from 1.5 to 3 m in width; covers the ground like a creeping plant. The color of the ‘Hornibrookii’ juniper needles is from light green to dark green. The plant covers large areas; to stop growth, you can pinch it.
'Meyer'... Compact, later openwork, upright, columnar or conical shrub 3 to 5 m in height and 1 to 1.5 m in width with silvery-green needles. It has a beautiful columnar shape.
‘Repanda’... A flat shrub forming a carpet, 0.3 to 0.5 m in height and 1.5 to 2 m in width, with dark green needles. It grows very slowly. This variety is used as a ground cover plant.
'Suecica'... Dense, conical shrub 3 to 5 m in height and 1 to 1.5 m in width with gray or bluish green needles and hanging tips. The 'Suecica' juniper grows slowly and does not tolerate heavy soils.
Chinese juniper varieties
Juniper varieties horizontal
'Andorra Compact'... Initially cushion, then spreading shrub from 0.4 to 0.7 m in height and 2 to 3 m in spread. 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 upwards.
‘Prince of Wales’... Dense, open shrub 0.3 to 0.5 m in height and 1.5 to 3 m in spread. The needles are pale green, in winter they change color (bronze-green). A very winter-hardy juniper variety.
‘Wiltonii’... Widely spread, 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.
Juniper varieties
‘Hetzii’... Broad shrub or asymmetrical tree 2 to 5 m in height and 3 to 6 m in width with bluish-gray needles. A very picturesque variety of juniper with numerous glaucous fruits, which are poisonous. Very hardy and hardy shrub.
'Mint Julep'... Wide, asymmetrical shrub from 2 to 3 m in height and 2 to 4 m in width with very decorative bright green needles.
‘Old Gold’... Compact, wide shrub from 1 to 2 m in height and 2 to 3 m in width. The needles are golden-yellow in winter and bronze-yellow in summer. Juniper 'Old Gold' is frost-resistant.
'Pfitzeriana'... Massive, treelike, very wide shrub, 3 to 4 m in height and 4 to 8 m in width. The needles are gray-green. Fitzeriana juniper grows strongly, lends itself to shearing; very stable and winter-hardy.
'Pfitzeriana Aurea'... A widespread shrub, 2 to 3 m in height and 2 to 5 m in width, with yellowish-green needles. The 'Fitzeriana Aureya' juniper looks greener than the 'Old Gold' variety.
Cossack juniper varieties
Scaly juniper varieties
'Blue Carpet'... Spreading dwarf shrub with creeping shoots from 0.3 to 0.8 m in height and 1.5 to 2.5 m in width. The 'Blue Carpet' juniper grows rapidly. The color of the needles is intense blue. The 'Blue Carpet' juniper is very resilient.
‘Blue Star’... A small, cushion-shaped, compact 'Blue Star' juniper reaches a height of 0.5 to 1 m; its width ranges from 0.7 to 1.5 m. The color of the needles is bright, silvery-blue. The 'Blue Star' juniper lends itself well to forming.
'Meyeri'... Large, upright, asymmetric shrub 3 to 6 m in height and 2 to 4 m in width. The needles are bright, silvery-blue. Ideal for topiary haircuts, after trimming it becomes denser. Poorly tolerates heavy soils. It is better to plant in places protected from the wind.
Rocky juniper varieties
‘Skyrocket’... Dense columnar shrub 5 to 8 m high and 0.5 to 1 m wide. Scaly needles, gray-green or bluish-green. The rocky juniper 'Skyrocket' does not tolerate shade, it grows only in the sun. The rocky juniper 'Skyrocket' has a very deep root system, therefore it is resistant to gusts of wind. The shrub is frost-hardy, drought-resistant, tolerates high temperatures. The 'Skyrocket' juniper grows in any well-drained soil.
‘Blue arrow’... The 'Blue arrow' juniper is a narrow-columnar shrub with a height of 5 to 8 m and a width of 0.5 to 1 m. The 'Blue arrow' rock juniper grows in the sun, does not tolerate shade. The plant is undemanding to soil conditions, grows on well-drained substrates. The Blue Arrow juniper is similar in characteristics to the Skyrocket rock juniper, but differs in a more dense columnar shape. Rocky juniper 'Blue arrow' is resistant to snow damage.
Juniper varieties of Virginia
‘Canaertii’... An asymmetric, upright small tree 5 to 7 m tall and 2 to 4 m wide with delicate, very decorative shoots. The color of the needles is even dark green. The variety is very resistant; tolerates a haircut well. Numerous bluish-white berries are formed on the plant.
'Glauca'... Initially columnar, compact, small tree 6 to 10 m high 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 frost-resistant variety. Old, free-growing plants have an unusual crown shape.
'Gray Owl'... Spread, asymmetrical, funnel-shaped shrub 2 to 3 m in height and 3 to 5 in width with pale green or bluish-green needles. Fast growing, resistant variety.
