Do junipers like sun or shade?
Cultural Needs. Junipers cannot thrive in full shade, but many varieties can survive in partial shade with varying degrees of success. Generally, the plants will need at least full morning sunlight with only light or dappled afternoon shade. Junipers grow better in slightly dry soil.
Do juniper trees need a lot of water?
Areas that dry out slowly due to a combination of soil structure and shady conditions won't support a healthy juniper tree, but junipers can remain healthy in the shade if the soil isn't too wet. Infrequent watering only when the soil dries completely is all that's usually necessary to keep the juniper healthy.
Do junipers make good ground cover?
They come in many forms, including trees, shrubs and spreading shrubs that work as ground covers. Junipers make excellent wind-breaking plants for around a home or garden, and their low light requirements allow gardeners to grow them on mostly shaded northern sides of buildings.
Do junipers need to be fertilized?
These hardy shrubs are considered ‘light feeders’ and do not require regular fertilization. If desired, established common junipers can benefit from a yearly feeding in the late winter to early spring with a slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer, but this is not necessary.
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Will juniper grow in the shade?
Junipers generally grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Plan for at least 5-6 hours of sun. These hardy shrubs adapt to any soil as long as there is no sitting water.
How much sun does a juniper need?
You can keep junipers indoors as well as outdoors. Make sure that they receive enough sun exposure. Typically, a juniper needs more than four hours of sunlight every day.
Do junipers need sun in winter?
Junipers go dormant during the winter months. If your container is a porous material such as clay or concrete, you can move it indoors to an unheated location. The juniper will still need full sun, and this is not easy to achieve indoors. It's best to use a container that can remain outside during the winter.
Where do junipers grow best?
sunny locationsJunipers grow especially well in well drained, sunny locations. Although some selections can be grown in full shade, most junipers will become more open and leggier if they don't get enough sun. The only spot where a juniper won't be happy is in poorly drained, boggy conditions.
Why are my junipers turning brown?
There are many reasons a juniper might turn brown. Fungal tip blights, cankers, mechanical damage, and salt injury are some of the most common causes. Several juniper samples with tip blight were submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic this spring. Phomopsis and Kabatina tip blights are two common diseases of juniper.
How often should junipers be watered?
Juniper shrubs need to be watered twice weekly for the first two months after being planted. After that initial period, you can scale back to watering once a week during the first year. Well-draining soil ensures the plant gets a drink without being stuck in standing water.
Do junipers need a lot of water?
Once established, Juniper bushes require little to no supplemental watering. They are more likely to get diseases from overwatering rather than underwatering. Newly planted bushes will need watering every week or two until the roots have developed.
Why do junipers turn brown in winter?
Most fungi and diseases that affect juniper plants appear in the spring and summer months. However, a winter occurrence of browning branches usually indicates either Kabatina tip blight or an injury called winter desiccation.
Do junipers turn brown in winter?
Juniper (Juniperus): Depending on the species, foliage may develop a bronze, purple, or yellow-brown cast in cold weather.
Do junipers attract spiders?
Junipers also attract a dismaying range of pests, including spider mites, aphids and borers. The mites announce themselves with fine webs among the branches. If there is any doubt, tap a branch while holding a piece of white paper under it; when tiny spiders (very tiny) fall onto the paper, you've got trouble.
Are junipers low maintenance?
Junipers are deer resistant, salt tolerant, and extremely low maintenance. Helpful for controlling soil erosion, Juniper plants are an excellent choice for planting on hills and slopes.
Why do junipers turn yellow?
A lack of magnesium, sulfur, potassium or nitrogen causes foliage to yellow. Magnesium, potassium and nitrogen typically cause the lower-half of the juniper to yellow, while sulfur causes discoloration along the upper-half of the foliage.
Do junipers do well in pots?
They serve well as screens, hedges, windbreaks, foundation plants and specimens, with juniper species ranging from low-growing groundcover shrubs to large conical trees. Small juniper trees also grow well in containers. A potted presentation works particularly well for juniper topiary.
What Evergreen is best for shade?
3 Evergreens For ShadeYew. A very hardy evergreen choice for shaded areas is the yew. ... Boxwood. A longtime favorite in landscapes, the boxwood was first brought to North America from Europe in the 1600s. ... Hemlock.
Are junipers low maintenance?
Junipers are deer resistant, salt tolerant, and extremely low maintenance. Helpful for controlling soil erosion, Juniper plants are an excellent choice for planting on hills and slopes.
What is the lifespan of a juniper?
Junipers typically live from 350 to 700 years, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.
Which juniper tree is best for shade?
Generally, the ground cover varieties of juniper are more tolerant of shade than the tree forms. Ohio State University Extension recommends the blue Pacific juniper (Juniperus conferta "Blue Pacific"), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, as the most shade-tolerant variety.
What is a juniper bush?
A variety of juniper bushes. Image Credit: valery_green/iStock/Getty Images. Junipers (Juniperus spp.) come in all shapes and sizes, from low-growing ground covers to tall, soaring trees. They feature evergreen foliage and require only minimal maintenance.
Do junipers grow in full sun?
Junipers cannot thrive in full shade, but many varieties can survive in partial shade with varying degrees of success. Generally, the plants will need at least full morning sunlight with only light or dappled afternoon shade. Junipers grow better in slightly dry soil. Areas that dry out slowly due to a combination of soil structure and shady conditions won't support a healthy juniper tree, but junipers can remain healthy in the shade if the soil isn't too wet. Infrequent watering only when the soil dries completely is all that's usually necessary to keep the juniper healthy.
Can juniper grow in shade?
Ground cover varieties, such as Parson's juniper (Juniperus davurica "Parsonii"), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 11, can survive in shade, but it will develop a more open growth habit and won't provide as dense of cover as it would in full sun. Shady conditions -- as well as planting juniper too close together, limiting air circulation -- can result in increased disease and insect problems.
Is juniper a shade tree?
Generally, the ground cover varieties of juniper are more tolerant of shade than the tree forms. Ohio State University Extension recommends the blue Pacific juniper (Juniperus conferta "Blue Pacific"), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, as the most shade-tolerant variety. This blue-tinged plant develops exceptionally dense foliage, so it can withstand some of the natural thinning that occurs in partial shade. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), which grows in USDA zones 3 through 10, also tolerates partial shade, although its feathery needles won't be as lush or full and the plant will grow more slowly.
How cold can junipers get?
At their maximum, common junipers can withstand winter temperatures as low as -45 degrees Celsius (or -49 degrees Fahrenheit), and may frequently experience summer temperatures as high as 30 degrees Celsius (or 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Common junipers grow well in USDA zones 2 through 7.
Where do junipers grow?
Native to the cool, temperature climates of the northern hemisphere, common junipers (Juniperus communis) have a nearly complete circumpolar distribution - occurring naturally throughout parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. This makes the common juniper one of the most widely distributed shrubs in the world.
What are the common diseases of junipers?
Watch out for diseases such as juniper blight, twig blight, and cedar apple rust - all of which can be handled with prompt and aggressive pruning. Common pests of the common juniper include bagworms, juniper scale, aphids, and more.
What color are juniper leaves?
They are characterized by needle-like, aromatic leaves and berry-like green cones that turn a deep purple/blue as they ripen. Common junipers have many different practical uses. In their native regions, the berries are enjoyed by many different species of birds and wildlife and are utilized by humans too.
What are the pests that eat juniper?
Common pests of the common juniper include bagworms, juniper scale, aphids, and more. Checking the shrub over semi-annually for signs of pests and using an insecticide when needed should keep any major infestations under control. Read More.
How tall is a common juniper?
These hardy conifers are variable in form, typically depending on where they are located. They range from a tall, tree-like form that can reach up to 50 feet tall, ...
How long do juniper seeds need to be kept in airtight container?
Common juniper seeds require cold- stratification in order to germinate and must be kept in an airtight container at 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 120 days prior to planting.
Positioning and Sun Requirements
A juniper bonsai needs ample sunlight and thus, keeping it indoors isn’t a good idea. Ideally, you can place it somewhere cool and where it can get full sun exposure in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. Extreme sunlight in the noon could be fatal to the leaves and burn them.
Other Factors for Juniper Bonsais
You can leave the soil to dry out completely before watering your bonsai again. It would still help to check the soil each day before ascertaining when to water it next. To check the soil, insert a chopstick to around 1 to 2 inches in the soil and let it stay for 10 minutes. Take the chopstick out and see if it’s damp.
Cutting Back Juniper For Winter
Do not prune your junipers in late summer or autumn. Pruning will encourage new growth that may not have time to harden off before winter begins. Junipers go dormant during the winter months.
Juniper Winter Care in Pots
If the growing container is suitable to remain outside during the winter, you can leave your juniper outdoors. No special care is required. Junipers go dormant during the winter months. If your container is a porous material such as clay or concrete, you can move it indoors to an unheated location.
Watering Juniper in Winter
There is no need to water junipers growing in the ground during the winter months after the soil has frozen. Container-grown junipers will not need additional moisture unless they are placed under a covered area or moved indoors. The natural rain or snowfall is enough to keep them alive during their dormant period.
Growing Juniper Indoors
Juniper is a plant that is not suitable to be grown indoors. It requires more sunlight than can typically be provided inside a home. Junipers also go through a dormancy period during the winter months and need to be exposed to colder temperatures as part of their growth pattern.
Steps To Care For Juniper in Winter
Most junipers do not need any extra care during the winter months. Be sure to purchase a juniper that is hardy in your climate zone. If your juniper is borderline hardy, it may be susceptible to winter burn. Follow these steps to lessen the chance for damage from winter burn.
How tall is a Juniperus?
Want a plant that has green foliage and stays short? Juniperus horizontalis 'Prince of Wales' (about 6 inches tall) fits the bill. Or how about an even shorter plant? Considering how relatively low-growing all these plants are, you may think it strange to speak of a "dwarf creeping juniper." But such a thing really does exist: Juniperus horizontalis 'Pancake' (only about 2-3 inches tall).
What's the significance of finding wild juniper in such a locale?
What's the significance of finding wild juniper in such a locale? It's a good indication that this genus is well represented among the salt-tolerant plants. The 'Bar Harbor' cultivar (see below) has its roots in this part of the country.
What should I plant on a steep hill?
When most middle-aged people see a steep hill like this, they think to themselves, "The last thing I'd want is to have to mow this!" So if you own a property with a steep hill like the one in the picture, plant creeping juniper just as these homeowners have done—and rejoice to see it fill in as thickly as it has here.
How tall is Juniperus horizontalis?
For a different look altogether, try Juniperus horizontalis 'Lime Glow,' which gives you a chartreuse color. It stands approximately 1 foot tall (or a bit more).
Do junipers work with mulch?
Although you don't necessarily have to do it in this order, experts recommend putting the weed barrier down first, installing the creeping junipers (cutting holes into the material to provide access) next, and, finally, spreading the mulch on.
What does "creeping junipers" mean?
The adjective in the name, "creeping junipers" is sometimes a cause for concern when you hear it associated with a plant. After all, who wants a garden thug that is going to creep into parts of your flower borders where it does not belong? But ground covers are different (by definition) from other plants in this respect. You want them to spread (within reason) and cover up a patch of ground; this is their raison d'etre, right?
Do you put mulch in a hole in a juniper?
Besides, you'll want to apply a bit of mulch in the holes, too, thereby discouraging weeds from sprouting up right next to your creeping junipers. The idea is that, between the landscape fabric, mulch, and creeping junipers, few weeds will emerge, the soil will be held in place, and the area will be beautified.
How much sunlight does a juniper bonsai need?
Juniper bonsai requires a minimum of four hours of sunlight per day; this aids in improving its development and enhances photosynthesis significantly. To achieve ample sunlight, it is best to have your juniper bonsai in your yard. Place it in an open location where it can get both morning and evening sunlight.
When should I shade my juniper bonsai?
Nevertheless, you should consider shading it in the afternoon, especially during summer times, when the temperatures are high . In addition to four hours of sunlight a day, ensure that the soil used in growing your juniper bonsai is relatively dry.
How long should I water a juniper bonsai?
You will, however, continue watering the tree for two weeks. During summer, spring and fall, the juniper bonsai should be placed in your yard; ensure that it is in a location where it can access sunlight in the morning and evening and shade during the afternoon.
Should I keep a juniper bonsai outside?
However, you might consider bringing your bonsai indoors during special occasions so you can display it in a prominent place. Ensure that your bonsai does not remain indoors for over a few days at a time . This is because the atmosphere is one of the greatest detriments to your bonsai’s health.
Can you keep a bonsai indoors?
Ensure that your bonsai does not remain indoors for over a few days at a time. This is because the atmosphere is one of the greatest detriments to your bonsai’s health.
