High cultivar junipers. Amazing juniper is a beautiful tree with many beneficial properties

- the key plant of almost every composition of modern landscape design, the variety of colors, shapes and sizes gives the gardener rich soil for imagination. Next, we will find out what types of juniper are, what are their key features and landing requirements.

Many gardeners prefer the juniper in their garden due to the following properties of this plant: undemanding to moisture and soil fertility, resistance to heat and frost, unpretentious care and a wide palette of colors, plasticity of shape and juicy green color all year round... This is one of the few plants that can grow in saline soils. Numerous varieties of evergreen shrubs are able to decorate not only the garden, but also the windowsill in the apartment. You can choose from different types of juniper - lush bushes and slender columns, large trees or ground cover shrubs, giants for use as a living fence or dwarfs for alpine slides.

Geometric crowns are suitable for gardens with a regular layout, where you need to create viewpoints and focus on the correct outline of the flower beds. Spreading varieties are planted near a rock garden, curb or pond, which make these objects more expressive. Spectacular rockeries will be the result of a combination of unshaped and molded junipers, and for the garden in oriental style dwarf bushes are suitable for decorating the branching paths and rocky compositions. The following are descriptions of each variety of the plant in question, with the corresponding grouping by species, data on growth activity and recommendations for care and planting.

Common junipers (Communis)

This type of juniper includes the following varieties.

Gold Cone - a specimen with a dense narrow-conical shape, reaching a meter in width and 4 m in height. The annual growth is 5 cm and 10 cm, respectively. The period of active growth occurs in the summer, the color of young shoots is bright yellow, by autumn it is replaced by yellow-green and bronze by winter. Stagnant waterlogging of the soil is something that this plant does not tolerate. Gold Cone is undemanding to the soil, but it is better not to allow it to compact. The main advantages are love for the sun and frost resistance. If kept in the shade, the needles will acquire a pleasant green color. For a couple of years after planting in a permanent place, this variety should be provided good care, which consists in tying branches for the winter, shelter from the scorching sun and regular watering.
Hibernika is a cultivar with a narrow-columnar crown shape, reaching a meter in width and 3.5 m in height, the annual growth is similar to the previous cultivar. This variety has bluish-green, thornless needles, is frost-resistant and grows well in well-lit areas. There are no special requirements for the soil. To protect from the sun, the plant must be covered in early spring, and for the winter to tie to prevent deformation and death of branches under the snow.
Green Carpet is a juniper with a dense ground cover. Adult plant reaches one and a half meters in width and half a meter in height with an annual growth of 15 cm and 5 cm, respectively. This variety is distinguished by light green creeping shoots with thornless needles. Choose well-lit areas for disembarkation; slopes and rocky gardens are perfect.
Suecica is a cultivar with a columnar crown. The height of an adult plant reaches 4 m, and the width is a meter. The growth in width per year is 5 cm, and in height - 15 cm. These shrubs are dense, dense and vertical shoots with a bluish or sometimes green needle-like crown. Distinctive features - slow growth, frost resistance, relative unpretentiousness. If you choose a poorly lit place for landing, the crown will become spreading and loose. This instance tolerates pruning perfectly, thanks to which you can create fancy garden compositions from it.

Chinese Junipers (Chinensis)

This variety of junipers is decorative and includes the following types:

Blaauw is a very unusual cultivar with an asymmetrical crown with ascending shoots. An adult plant reaches one and a half meters in height and width with an annual growth of 5 cm in width and 10 cm in length. This variety is frost-resistant, feels great both in the light and in partial shade. It is better to choose for it nutritious, drained, light, moderately moist soils with slightly alkaline or neutral PH.
Blue Alps is a variety with a dense crown, the ends of the shoots of which hang down, reaching 2 meters in width and height with an annual growth of 5 cm and 10 cm, respectively. The color of the needles of this juniper, when grown in a lighted area, is very pleasant, silvery-blue. In the shade, the needles may become less saturated. The advantages are frost resistance and undemandingness to soil and moisture.
Kuriwao Gold is a variety with a wide, rounded or asymmetrical shape that reaches two meters in width and height. The annual growth according to these indicators is 5 cm. Against the background of dark green needles, bright golden young thin sprouts stand out very beautifully and quite contrastingly, due to which the impression of airiness and lightness is created. The color in the shade becomes less saturated, so it is better to choose well-lit areas for planting. An excellent choice would be a rocky garden, a mixed or coniferous group, as well as a single planting.
Variegata is a pyramidal-crowned juniper reaching a meter in width and 2 meters in height. The annual growth is 5 cm for both indicators. This variety is distinguished by light yellow spots against the background of a blue-green pyramidal crown. The plant is frost-resistant and sun-loving, low requirements are imposed on moisture and soil, but it is better to drain it well, avoid stagnant waterlogging and salinity. The harmful effects of the early spring sun must be prevented by covering the plant.

Horizontal (Horizontalis)

This variety includes mainly shrubs, among which the following varieties:

Andorra Variegata is a dwarf shrub with a cushion-shaped crown and raised shoots that radiate from the center in the form of rays. An adult plant reaches 1.5 m wide and 40 cm in height with annual growth of 5 cm and 3 cm, respectively. The needles are the main decoration of this variety, its color is bright green with pale white blotches. IN winter period the color becomes purplish violet. Like most varieties of juniper, it is frost-resistant and prefers a sunny area.
Blue Chip is a shrub with a creeping crown, in comparison with other horizontal ones it is in the highest demand. Reaches 2 m in width and 30 cm in height, with annual growth of 5 cm and 3 cm, respectively. Shoots of this juniper densely and gracefully spread along the ground, slightly lifting the ends. In winter, the silvery blue needles turn purple.
Blue Forest is a creeping shrub 1.5 m wide and 30 cm high. Annual growth is 5 cm and 3 cm, respectively. The peculiarity of this variety is represented by vertically directed shoots, due to which the effect of a miniature blue forest is created. The color is most original and attractive at the beginning of summer. It can be grown both in a lighted area and in partial shade.
Limeglow is a cushion shrub one and a half meters wide and 40 cm high. The annual growth is 5 cm and 3 cm, respectively. When creating contrasting garden compositions, you should pay attention to the bright, golden-yellow needles of this plant. In the shade, the color intensity is lost, heavy soils are not suitable for cultivation. In winter it takes on a brownish color.

Cossack (Sabina)

This species also includes upright varieties with a creeping or cushion crown.

Arcadia reaches 2.5 m in width and 50 cm in height, creeping crown, light green color. A lighted area and a little shade are suitable for cultivation. The crown of a young plant is cushion-shaped, but over time it becomes like a fantasy carpet.
Glauca. The width of an adult plant is 2 m, the height is 1 m. Usually the color of the needles is gray-blue, but with the arrival of cold weather it acquires a bronze tint. Black cones with a waxy coating contrast very interestingly with the dense needles. Sunny spots promote more vigorous growth.
Tamariscifolia reaches 2 m wide and 50 cm high. The branches of this variety are spreading, often located. The color of the needles can be from bluish to light green, the shape is needle-shaped. The color will be more saturated if you choose illuminated areas.

Medium junipers (Media)

The Gold Coast has a dense, spreading crown. The maximum plant width is 2 m. The shoots are horizontal, rich in decorative golden needles, which darken with the onset of winter.
Mint Julep is a sprawling shrub with arcuate branches that hang down elegantly. Differs in active growth, bright green needles and roundish gray berries. An adult plant grows up to 2 m wide and 1.5 m high.
Old Gold is a compact, wide shrub with a regular shape. Differs in slow growth, the presence of decorative golden needles. Reaches 2 m in width.
Hetzii is a broad-crowned shrub with blue-gray needles. Requires well-drained and relatively fertile soil, up to 2 m wide and 1.5 m high.
Gold Star is a sprawling shrub with scaly needle-like needles of golden color. Reaches 2 m in width and meters in height.
Pfitzeriana Aurea is a shrub with a rounded crown and skeletal horizontal dense branches. The color of young shoots is golden lemon, the color of an adult plant is yellowish. With the onset of summer, the needles acquire a greenish tint. Differs in slow growth and high winter hardiness.

Scaly Junipers (Squamata)

This category contains junipers with a silver-blue crown with approximately the same growth rates - Blue Carpet, Blue Star and Meyeri. The latter is distinguished by the most active growth - 15 cm in width and 10 in height per year.

Rocky (Scopulorum)

It is also worth highlighting the species of coastal junipers Conferta, the most prominent representative of which is Schlager - a dwarf shrub with a creeping crown and long green needles. Looks good in rock gardens and rocky gardens. No less decorative is the Virginiana Gray Owl juniper with a dense wide crown and silvery or greenish needles.

Juniper is a beautiful, drought-resistant, light-loving, long-lived plant. More than seventy of its species are known. Many interesting varieties have been bred - juniper is grown both in the middle lane and in cold regions.

Juniper: species and varieties

The most famous are the types and varieties listed below.

Common juniper - this species is highly frost-resistant. He is not picky about the composition of the soil. Ripening of berries takes 2 years.

The middle juniper stands out against the background of other shrubs with an open crown shape. The plant is relatively winter-hardy - it needs shelter only in the first years of life.

Juniper virginiana in height can reach 30 m. The plant prefers a dry steppe climate.

The horizontal juniper is characterized by excellent adaptability - it feels good both in hot and cold climates.

Daurian juniper is extremely unpretentious - it grows equally well both in the southeast of Siberia and in warm regions.

Juniper Cossack is a prostrate or creeping bush. The plant is characterized by excellent winter hardiness. It is not afraid of droughts either.

The Chinese juniper is interesting for its decorative effect - even in nature, plants of the same species differ from each other in external characteristics. This allowed breeders to develop many interesting varieties.

The recumbent juniper is grown as a ground cover plant - a creeping shrub reaches a height of half a meter.

The Siberian juniper prefers mountain landscapes. It grows slowly, but it pleases with its beauty, it is not afraid of frosts and droughts.

Rocky juniper is very decorative - even in natural conditions the plant has a beautiful crown. The color of the needles is also interesting - it has a bluish tint. The plant grows slowly, but it has a long life span.

Scaly juniper attracts attention with its beautiful needles - it is painted in a gray-steel color.

Rocky junipers: varieties

Juniper of this species is represented by the following varieties: Blue Arrow, Globe, Repens, Pathfinder, Skyrocket, Silver King, Wichita.

The Blue Haven Juniper is a slow growing plant. Its maximum height is 2.5 m. The plant has a dense conical crown. The needles are colored light blue. The variety does not have high soil requirements.

Common juniper: varieties

Common juniper is represented by the following varieties: В 2, Columnaris, Сompressa, Echiniformis, Gold beach, Gold Cone, Green Carpet, Нibernica, Нornibrookii, Меуеr, Оblonga pendula, Repanda.

The Green Carpet variety is a low juniper (even at the age of ten, the plant reaches only 10 cm in height). This variety is ideal for lawns - the plants do not need any trimming or special care.

Chinese juniper varieties

This plant species is represented by the following varieties: Blue Alps, Columnaris, Columnaris glauca, Echiniformis, Expansa, Globosa, Netzii, Mint Julep, Old Gold, Pfitzeriana.

Kurovovo Gold is a variety famous for its beauty. The plant forms a spherical crown. Its maximum height is 2 m. The needles differ in color - the young one has an emerald hue, and the old one is dark green.

Juniper horizontal: varieties

Creeping juniper (horizontal) is represented by the following varieties: Аdpressa, Аlpina, Аndorra compact, Аrgentea, Glacier, Glenmore, Petraea, Prostrata, Wiltonii.

Andorra Compact - this variety is interesting in the shape of the crown (it resembles a fluffy pillow). In winter, the needles change color and turn purple-violet.

Tall junipers: varieties

Tall junipers are represented by different species. Accordingly, you can pick up a lot of varieties with optimal visual characteristics. The most interesting varieties: Skyrocket, Glauka, Gray Oul (Virginian juniper), Hibernika, Columnaris (common juniper).

Fast growing junipers: varieties

Good growth rates are inherent in the following varieties: Blue carpet (scaly juniper), Tamariscifolia and Mas (Cossack juniper), Pfitzeriana Aurea, Mordigan Gold, Pfitzeriana compacta (medium juniper). Virginia juniper is also growing rapidly.

Mordigan Gold is a graceful, compact, frost and drought tolerant variety. The needles have a golden hue. The plants reach a height of one meter, the crown diameter does not exceed two meters. This juniper tolerates urban conditions well.

Edible juniper: varieties

Juniper fruits are not eaten like ordinary berries, but they are used in the preparation of tinctures, marmalades, kvass, jelly, jelly, beer. The aroma of the juniper makes the smoked meats especially tasty. Cossack juniper is poisonous. Fruits of other types can be used. The fruits of the Caucasian juniper are most widely used.

Juniper Cossack: varieties

Cossack juniper is represented by the varieties Аrcaida, Blue danube, Вuffalo, Сupressifolia, Еrecta, Fastigiata, Mas, Rockery Gem, Tamariscifolia.

Variegata is a variety that has bright variegated needles (it is painted in a green-white or yellowish tint). This juniper grows slowly and forms a creeping crown. The highest height is 1 m. The plant is quite demanding on the composition of the soil. It does not tolerate frost and drought well.

Juniper: varieties for the Moscow region

Many types of juniper are grown in the Moscow region and central Russia. The most widespread are common junipers, horizontal, rocky, Cossack.

Plants of the Skyrocket variety look very beautiful. They have a columnar shape. Scaly or needle-like needles are colored blue-gray. Plant height reaches 6-8 m. Unlike many other types of juniper, this variety grows very quickly - the annual growth is about 20 cm.

Juniper varieties for Siberia

Many junipers are characterized by good frost resistance, which allows them to be grown in harsh climatic conditions... The most widespread in Siberia and the Urals are Siberian junipers, Cossack, hard, Chinese, Virginia, ordinary, scaly.

The Blue Alps variety (Chinese juniper) has excellent recommendations. The plant tolerates frost well, has a compact shape. Its average height is 2.5-4 m. The needle-shaped needles are colored silver from below, from above they are light green.

Juniper varieties are diverse. Plants are actively used for landscaping areas - they are very decorative, therefore they are in great demand.

– beautiful plant, which is increasingly used in landscape design. But in order to choose the right type of it, you need to know exactly which group the juniper belongs to. He is a striking representative of the ancient family of cypress, evergreen conifers, which will not cause any problems when growing even for a novice gardener. Juniper appeared on the earth more than 50 million years ago, thanks to which people have long appreciated the beauty of this plant, using it to decorate gardens for more than one millennium.

Did you know? Juniper is used as a flavoring agent for juices, fruit drinks and compotes. Its fruits give the meat an exotic piquant taste and aroma. Marinades prepared with the use of juniper turn out to be especially bright and memorable, and when added to pickling, juniper berries significantly enrich their taste and aroma palette.

Juniper grows in the form of pillar-like trees, spreading shrubs, or downy growths that line the ground in a dense carpet. Evergreen juniper branches are decorated with needles in the form of needles or scales. Almost all representatives of juniper are dioecious: male plants are pollinators, and female plants give a generous harvest of pine berries, from which delicious medicinal fragrant jam is brewed. Today there are about 70 varieties of juniper in the world, so let's look at what types and varieties of juniper are common in our time.

Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

Common juniper is a low evergreen coniferous tree or shrub, from 5 to 10 meters high. In the most favorable conditions, the plant can reach 12 meters, with a trunk diameter of 0.2 meters. The dense crown of trees can have a conical shape, and in shrubs it can be ovoid.

The plant has a gray-brown fibrous bark and red-brown shoots. The branches of the plant are covered with acicular trihedral needles, pointed at the end (its width varies from 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters, and the length can reach 1.5 centimeters). On the upper side of the needles there is an stomatal strip.

All needles are covered with a whitish waxy bloom, which persists on the branches for up to four years. Common juniper bushes bloom in May, and the female flowers are green, and the male flowers are yellow. The buds are round in shape and can reach a diameter of 0.6 to 0.9 centimeters. Juniper of this variety grows very slowly. Its annual growth does not exceed more than 15 cm in height and more than 5 cm in width per year. On average, the life span of one bush reaches 200 years.

Did you know? Other names for common juniper are heather or juniper. In Ukraine, the plant is known as "yalivets zvychainy", and in Latin its name sounds "Juniperus communis".

Common juniper can be found in Europe, North America, Siberia and even North Africa. In nature, juniper grows in the undergrowth of spruce and pine forests and forms impenetrable thickets in clearings. It prefers moderately moist, well-drained sandy loam soils, but it can grow on all types of soils.

Juniper virginiana (Juniperus virginiana)

Juniperus virginiana is an evergreen, sometimes dioecious tree. This is a tall juniper, capable of reaching 30 meters in height in favorable conditions. Young trees have a narrow ovate crown, and with age they are covered with wide-standing branches. The diameter of the trunk of adult plants can reach 150 centimeters and is covered with gray, red-brown or dark brown peeling longitudinally fissured bark.

Young slender shoots have a dark green bark and an indistinct tetrahedral shape. The branches of the plant are covered with gray-green needles, which acquire a brown hue with the onset of frost. During the ripening period, numerous dark blue cones are formed on the trees, with a light bluish bloom up to 0.6 centimeters in diameter. The fruits are ready to be harvested in October, but they can stay on trees for a long time, which significantly improves their taste characteristics.

The plant received culture status in 1664. Juniper Virginia is very often used in landscape design, as it is one of the most resistant varieties to adverse conditions. In northern latitudes, this species is very often used as an analogue of pyramidal cypresses.

Did you know? Juniper is great for aromatherapy as its scent has a firming effect on nervous system, and long walks through the juniper groves help get rid of insomnia, nervous tension and headaches.

In nature, Virginia juniper can be found in North America, from Canada to Florida. It grows in the mountains, on rocks, on the shores of the ocean and rivers, less often in swamps.

The most common varieties of juniper virginiana:

Juniper variety "Glauka" or "Glauca" was bred in 1855. The plant has a columnar shape and is characterized by an intensive rate of development. On average, it can reach 5 to 10 meters in height and has almost vertical branches. Due to this, the tree forms a fairly dense crown, which expands slightly as the tree matures. The branches of the culture are covered mainly with scaly needles. Needles can be found only in the depths of the crown.
Globosa is a low growing juniper obtained in 1891. It is a dwarf, slow-growing variety with a flattened, rounded crown, reaching up to 1 meter in width. The plant has short, creeping skeletal branches and slightly rising, short, protruding and dense shoots covered with scaly bright green needles.
"Blue Cloud" was received in 1955. A large shrub with a loose, indeterminate crown, with long, spreading branches covered with grayish-green needles. Juniper variety "Blue Cloud" is very often seen on garden plots in areas not distinguished by comfortable weather conditions.

Juniper horizontal (Juniperus horizontalis)

The horizontal juniper is the closest relative of the Cossack juniper. Outwardly, the plant is a creeping shrub pressed to the ground, reaching 1 meter in height and covered with long branches, on which bluish-green tetrahedral shoots are formed, pubescent with dense gray or green needles (with the onset of cold weather, it acquires a brown color). The reproductive branches have needle-shaped elongated-lanceolate leaves, 3 to 5 centimeters long and about 1 centimeter thick, saber-curved and rounded on the back.

Old branches are covered with bluish-black scaly leaves, with a bluish bloom. They have tiny resinous glands reaching up to 2.2 centimeters in length and up to 1.5 millimeters in width. Despite the original appearance, shrubs of this juniper variety are quite rare in the collections of amateur gardeners. The species was classified as a crop back in 1840.

The horizontal juniper was taken as the basis for the creation of many varieties:

Variety "Agnieszka" is a low shrub on which long skeletal branches are formed obliquely rising. The needles on the bushes of this juniper can be of two types, but at the same time they are always acicular, protruding and dense, bluish-green, and after the first frosts, they are slightly lilac in color.
Bushes of the Andorra Variegata variety, in the early stages, have a dense, rounded crown, which, as the plant matures, acquires a funnel shape. Their branches are covered with needle-shaped, half-pressed, mainly green needles, which in some areas may have a cream color.
The Bar Harbor variety was developed in 1930 in the United States. The bushes have a dense creeping shape and are formed by thin recumbent branches spread out in different directions. Lateral shoots are ascending. Small, half-pressed, grayish-green leaves, after frost acquire a purple color.

Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

The Chinese juniper is a dioecious or monoecious tree, reaching a height of 8 to 25 meters and having a pyramidal crown. Very rarely, plants of this species are bushes that are spread out, tightly pressed to the ground. The trunk of the trees is covered with grayish-red flaking bark. Young shoots have a dark green color and a fuzzy tetrahedral shape. The branches of the plant are covered mainly with scaly, pairwise opposite foliage, up to 3 millimeters long and no more than 1 millimeter wide.

The leaves have an oblong-ovoid shape, pointed at the end and slightly curved inward, in connection with which they seem blunt and tightly pressed against the shoots. WITH inside they have stomatal stripes, and on the back - elliptical glands. The plant produces globular, slightly elongated cones, dark blue or almost black in color, reaching a diameter of 4 to 10 millimeters.

Juniper Cossack (Juniperus sabina)

The Cossack juniper is the most unpretentious and most common representative of its family. Therefore, if you are also going to plant this species on your site, then you will probably be interested to know how quickly the Cossack juniper grows. Just imagine: a bush Cossack juniper At about 10 years old, it can reach a height of only 0.3 meters, making it one of the slowest growing plants. Due to this feature, it is very often used in landscape design.

The specified type of dwarf juniper is absolutely unpretentious, it easily tolerates both a decrease and an increase in temperature, is indifferent to poor-quality watering and can withstand the strongest winds. Its main drawback is that it belongs to poisonous plants.

The Cossack juniper has a massive root system that can go deep into the ground, so that even in the driest years, its bushes can do without watering at all. The branches of the plant are covered with dense fine needle-like foliage of gray-green color. During the ripening period, they are covered with rounded (up to 7 cm in diameter) dark blue fruits, with a bluish bloom.

Important! Even when caring for Cossack juniper, you must be extremely careful, since its leaves, fruits and branches contain a potent poison that can cause serious harm to human health.

The most popular varieties of Cossack juniper:

The variety "Broadmoor" grows intensively in width, while its plants reach no more than 60 centimeters in height. As the variety grows, the bushes form a dense, emerald green carpet that has excellent decorative characteristics.
Plants of the "Femina" variety creep along the ground, and their shoots at the ends rise upward, which gives the impression of a huge number of small junipers. In width, the bushes of the variety can reach up to 6 meters, while even in the most favorable conditions, their height does not exceed 2 meters.
"Cupressifolia" is a dwarf variety that reaches no more than half a meter in height, but at the same time in width, a plant, at the age of about 10 years, can reach up to 5 meters. Outwardly, the bushes of this variety look quite neat and have high decorative characteristics, which turned them into real favorites of landscape designers.

Coastal juniper (Juniperus conferta)

Coastal juniper is a flat-growing dwarf shrub with a pleasant coniferous aroma. The plant has creeping shoots capable of covering the ground with a dense carpet. At the age of nine, plants of this variety reach a height of only 20 centimeters, but their crown size can reach up to one meter. The branches of the bush are covered with dark green needles, decorated with a white and blue stripe on the upper side, which gives it a bluish tint. In autumn, the branches of the coastal juniper are covered with dark blue cones with a bluish bloom.

Important! When planting a juniper, be careful when choosing a planting site. The fact is that this plant is home to many fungal infections and close proximity to fruit and berry crops can contribute to their infection with dangerous diseases.

The plant loves sunny places, but it grows well in partial shade. Due to its compact size, it is used in landscape design as a ground cover plant for decorating rock gardens and rocky gardens.

Rocky juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)

Rocky juniper is a dioecious shrub or tree 10 to 13 meters high. Cultivated plant has a more compact size than specimens growing in their natural environment. Young shoots have an obscure tetrahedral shape and can reach up to 1.5 millimeters in diameter and no more than 2 centimeters in length.

The bush has dark green or gray-gray scaly foliage, with an opposite arrangement and ovoid-rhombic shape, 1-2 mm long and up to 1 mm wide. The bushes also have needle-shaped leaves up to 12 millimeters long and up to 2 millimeters wide. During the ripening period, globular dark blue berries are formed on the bushes, covered with a light smoky bloom.

Important! Remember that excessive consumption of berries and preparations made on the basis of juniper can cause poisoning, disruption of cardio-vascular system and also contribute to the occurrence of severe allergic reactions.

Rocky juniper can be called a favorite of landscape designers. It is very often used for landscaping squares, parks, personal plots and the territory of medical and recreational institutions. The variety looks great in rockeries, rock gardens and heather gardens. The varieties with a pyramidal and columnar crown are especially popular.

Juniper medium (Juniperus media)

The average juniper is a plant that reaches up to 3 meters in height and has a dense spreading crown up to 5 meters in width. The crown of the tree is formed by ascending arcuate branches with slightly drooping ends. The needles pleases with a rich emerald green color and are decorated with a white stomatal stripe from the inside. Needle-shaped leaves can be found on the old parts of the branches and inside the crown. Scaly needles predominate at the ends of young shoots.

The most common varieties of medium juniper are:

Blue and Gold was bred by Dutch breeders in 1984. This is a small shrub with a lush and rather loose crown. The plant can grow up to 1.5 meters in height. The bush is formed by horizontal, obliquely ascending branches with slightly drooping ends. On the plant, you can find needles of two types: bluish-gray or cream in color. The variety does not tolerate severe frosts, and therefore is not suitable for cultivation in the northern regions.
"Gold Coast" was received in the United States in 1965. The bushes have a compact, dense shape and can reach up to 1 meter in height and up to 3 meters in width. The bushes of the variety form branches, outstretched with horizontally protruding ends, covered mainly with scaly green needles.
Hetzii was also developed in the United States in 1920. The shrub can reach up to 4 meters in height and is characterized by an intensive rate of development. It has a broad-ovoid or loose cupped crown, reaching up to 6 meters in width. main feature varieties in that its branches do not hang at the ends. Shoots are mostly covered with scaly grayish-green needles. Needle-shaped leaves are found only in the middle of the bush.

Scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata)

Juniper scaly - evergreen, densely branching shrub up to one and a half meters high. The plant has dark brown bark and lanceolate, tough, sharp dark green needles 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters long. The cones are almost black in color. The plant is used mainly for landscaping parks and squares, but it can also become the main decoration of any alpine slide. The disadvantage of the variety is that the dried needles on its shoots do not fall off for several years, and this significantly reduces the decorative characteristics of adult bushes.

The most popular varieties of scaly juniper:

The Blue Star variety has fascinated gardeners with its compact size and a semicircular wide crown, which significantly improves its decorative characteristics. Its bushes barely reach one meter in height. The variety is photophilous, but it grows very slowly, its annual growth does not exceed 10 centimeters. Can be used for single or group landings.
"Blue carpet" bush has a flat shape and is distinguished by an intensive rate of development, which allows it to grow to 10 years with an increase of 30 centimeters, overgrowing with a crown from 1.2 to 1.5 meters wide. The branches of the bush are covered with blue-gray, up to 9 millimeters long and no more than 2 millimeters wide, with needles with a sharp edge. The variety was created in 1972 in Holland, and already in 1976 it was awarded a gold medal for high decorative qualities.
"Meueri" - this is one of the most famous and favorite varieties of gardeners, which has high decorative characteristics and does not require special care. An adult plant can grow from 2 to 5 meters in height. On the branches, straight, short shoots are formed, covered with bluish-white needles.

Growing almost any juniper will allow you not only to significantly improve the decorative characteristics of the summer cottage, but also to get the strongest medicine that can help get rid of a huge number of diseases.

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Nothing refreshes and purifies the air in the garden like junipers. And what beauty and comfort they give to a garden or a summer cottage! What does it look like, this juniper? In different ways, it depends on the type and variety. It can be a huge tree or a tiny bush. We have selected the five most common types of this ephedra and added colorful photos to the description so that you can have an idea of them.

Depending on the species, the juniper can differ in height, in the shape of the crown, in the color of the needles. There are about 70 species in total. We grow about 12, among which the most popular and beautiful are junipers.

ordinary,
Virginia,
horizontal
Cossack,
Chinese.

Here we will talk about them. We have devoted separate articles to three popular types - Cossack, horizontal and Chinese.

Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

It is a frost-hardy evergreen shrub with a height of 5-10 m.
The crown width depends on the variety. At the 10th year of the plant's life, the diameter reaches about 0.5 m and the height is up to 5 m.
The crown is dense, in males it is conical and narrower, and in females it is ovoid and ascending.
The needles are acicular and pointed, triangular in diameter, green with a waxy bloom and with a whitish stomatal strip on the upper side.

Varieties:
"Anna Maria"- Polish slow-growing variety with a mound-shaped crown. By the age of 10, it grows in height only up to 30 cm and in width - up to 40 cm.
"Bruns"- columnar variety, with bluish-steel prickly needles. At 10 years old, it becomes 2.5 m tall.
"Depressa Aurea"- this short shrub reaches 30 cm in height by the age of 10, but reaches 2 m in diameter. The variety is interesting for its characteristic depression in the center of the coniferous "bowl" and golden yellow color. Used as a ground cover plant.
"Horstmann"- a variety with an original picturesque crown shape. The outstretched branches are directed almost horizontally, drooping. With age, the plant takes on a weeping look.

Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

This is a low-growing shrub or pyramidal tree up to 20-25 m high.
Young shoots are dark green. The foliage is scaly and acicular, bluish-green.
Unpretentious, easily tolerates city conditions, is not picky about the soil, required condition- drainage.

You can see a detailed description of the Chinese juniper and its most popular varieties in the article dedicated to this species.

Juniper Virginia or Virginiana (Juniperus virginiana)

The species is also known under the name "Pencil tree".
The evergreen ephedra can grow up to 30 m in height.
A young plant has a narrow ovoid crown. With age, the crown is formed by widely spaced branches from the trunk with a diameter of 1.5 m.
The needles are small, depending on the variety, scaly or acicular.
The foliage is dark green or gray-green, and in winter it takes on a brown tint.
It is not very demanding on soils, it is easy to form and the crown retains its appearance for a long time.
Frost resistant, suitable for the European part of Russia.

Varieties:

"Skyrocket"- its narrow columnar shape with a gray-blue crown has earned great popularity in landscape design.
"Gray Owl"- a sprawling shrub with silvery-gray needles.
"Hetz" Is a fast-growing shrub variety with bluish needles.

Juniper horizontal or prostrate (Juniperus horizontalis)

It is a creeping evergreen shrub with a height of 30 cm to 1 m with long branches, which are densely covered with bluish-green tetrahedral shoots.
Crown width from 1.5 m to 2 m.
The needles are green or gray.
Leaves are scaly and acicular.
It is not very demanding on the composition of the soil, does not tolerate dry air. It took root in the southern and middle zones.

If you are interested in this shrub, then see how the different varieties look in the photo in our other article.

Juniper Cossack (Juniperus sabina)

This is one of the most spectacular types of creeping shrubs up to 1.5 m high.
The needles of young plants are acicular, from above - bluish-green with a clear vein in the middle, which becomes scale-like with age.

We devoted a separate article to it, since this species is highly toxic and there are things you need to know about. Be sure to read before choosing this type of juniper.

Varieties:

"Variegata"- a spreading crown with variegated green needles. Differs in creamy white patches in greenery.
"Arcadia"- the cushion crown is formed by soft green needles. Height 50 cm, diameter 2.5 m.
"Blue Danub"- bluish-green needles.
"Glauka"- gray-blue needles in winter acquire a bronze tint.
"Tamariscifolia"- short needle-shaped needles from light green to bluish green color. It differs in that its horizontal main branches are arranged in tiers.

By the way, varieties among one species of juniper can vary greatly both in the size of an adult plant and in shape. Therefore, before settling on any type of juniper, look for photos to find out what a particular variety looks like. When choosing a variety, also pay attention to the growth rate, if this is important to you.

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 the attention they deserve. On the contrary, judging by the description of the species of juniper, these trees are perhaps the most beautiful among conifers. 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 among junipers there is an aura of benevolence and peace. 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 per appearance and biological requirements.

Juniper - evergreen coniferous plant, belonging to the Cypress family. These can be trees from 12 to 30 m in height. ornamental shrubs junipers - 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 a 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 are berry-shaped, 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? Root system of these trees and shrubs are 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, in particular 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.

Twigs of all kinds conifers Juniper with live needles is popularly used 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 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. Needles in whorls of three, shiny, lanceolate-linear, 1-1.5 cm in length, 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 fruits of the tree in a mature state are 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.

Ornamental forms of common juniper are known:

Juniper "Pyramidal" in the photo

"Pyramidal" with a columnar crown,

"Pressed"- undersized shrub with dense dark green needles,

"Horizontal"- a 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 common juniper were known and used even 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 they recovered completely.

In the 17th century in Russia, oil and alcohol were made from juniper fruits. 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 summer cottages 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 fragrant, 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 diseases of the kidneys, bladder, kidney and liver stones. Decoctions are also used for gout, rheumatism, arthritis, helping to eliminate 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 shade.

Unlike ordinary 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, the 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 type of juniper are known as

Juniper "columnar"
Juniper "upright",

"Columnar", "erect",

Juniper form "cypress-leaved"
Juniper form "variegated"

"Cypress", "variegated"

Juniper form "tamariksolistnaya"

and "Tamariksolistnaya".

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 (opposite and needle-shaped, 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-moisturized 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 numerous decorative forms in summer cottages, the "variegat" form is grown - with whitish tips of the shoots, "fitzeriana" - with spreading, upwardly directed branches 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. It 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 in height. Stems are recumbent, rooting. Young shoots are green, glabrous. 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.

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 ripe 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 pineapple. They are brownish and slightly triangular.

Juniper high- 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 opposite opposite, 2-5 mm long, pointed, ovoid-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 are red-brown cones; when ripe in the second year, they become almost black.

Various forms of this juniper are grown, among which there are plants with a spherical, vase-shaped, spread-out crown.

In our gardens, this type of 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 silvery blue and very thorny needles. It looks good on alpine slides as well as in containers.

It is quite 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 furrows, 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 breeding juniper nice results gives planting with green cuttings in greenhouses, 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. Cuttings are sprayed 4-5 times a day. The most suitable date for cutting cuttings is 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 preparation.

One of the main conditions for growing junipers is compliance temperature regime... The optimum air temperature during grafting should be +23 ... + 24 ° at relative humidity 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 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 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 undoubtedly the 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 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. At the same time, they pursue the goal of minimizing trauma to the root system.

For successful care of junipers, 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 is not suitable due to 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 a juniper on a personal plot:

Juniper on 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 habitat.

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 bushes.

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.

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