what will grow under a juniper tree

Good Juniper Companion Plants

Full Answer

What can I plant with a juniper tree?

When you are looking for juniper plant companions, think about bamboo. Bamboo species, particularly dwarf bamboo plants, are also good choices for juniper companion plants. Tall bamboo mixes well with tall junipers, while groundcover juniper blends seamlessly with dwarf bamboo.

Can junipers stop other plants from growing?

The short answer is that they can, but not due to the reason that is commonly given. Many times you will see that junipers will stop the growth of other plants around them due to allelopathy. Allelopathy with plants is where one plant releases a chemical that inhibits the growth of other plants around it.

Do juniper trees like acidic soil?

Junipers, like many evergreens, like acidic soil. So planting them with other plants that also like acidic soil is a great idea. Blueberries are one of these possible garden companion plants that thrive with acidic soil, and they make a great option as a companion plant for a small spreading juniper bush that can act as a ground cover.

What is a juniper tree?

The junipers include roughly 60 different species of trees and shrubs in the Juniperus genus, within the cypress ( Cupressaceae) family of plants. Although come junipers use the work cedar in their common names, these plants are not members of the Cedrus genus.

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Are junipers toxic to other plants?

Certain trees and shrubs -- including junipers -- secrete a toxin into the soil called allelopathy that kills nearby plants. This prevents the juniper from having to compete for water, nutrients and sunlight, and may damage future vegetation planted in the area.

What grows well with blue juniper?

Blue Star Juniper companion plants There are several plants and shrubs that make wonderful companion plants for Blue Star Junipers, including Roses, Grasses, Barberry, Sedums, Yuccas and Hydrangeas.

Do junipers make soil acidic?

Higher acidity of soil may be caused by presence of conifers such as juniper trees. Acidity may also be caused by rainfall and leaching, acidic plant material, and high rates of organic matter decomposition.

How deep are the roots of a juniper tree?

A juniper's tap root can penetrate 25 feet straight down in search of water. It can also send out lateral roots 100 feet or more from the tree. The roots are especially hardy: even when knocked over by wind, junipers often continue to grow.

Will hostas grow under juniper trees?

Hostas can grow under junipers. The main thing to remember when growing hostas under junipers is to clean up any litter from the juniper so the hosta has a clear place to grow.

Are juniper roots invasive?

They are also useful as specimen plants and their non-invasive roots mean they can even be used as foundation plantings. Many gardeners are even growing Skyrocket juniper as part of a mixed container display.

What plants grow well with juniper?

Plants with blue flowers, berries, or leaves make good companion plants for juniper. When you are looking for juniper plant companions, think about bamboo. Bamboo species, particularly dwarf bamboo plants, are also good choices for juniper companion plants.

Is Miracle Grow good for junipers?

Answer: Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food is one of our most popular recommendations for acid loving plants like Junipers.

Are coffee grounds good for junipers?

Here are some examples of plants that should NOT use coffee grounds: Trees: Silver maple, Green ash, burr oak and Austrian Pine. Shrubs: lilac, boxwood, oleander, barberry, juniper.

What is special about a juniper tree?

Junipers have the capacity to self-prune, shedding branches for survival, and its sap is rot resistant. Juniper berries and sap have been used medicinally in Chinese and Native American cultures and the berries supply food and shelter for native animals.

Are junipers hard to dig up?

Once a juniper reaches a mature size, it can be very difficult to transplant because of the extensive root system and you may need professional assistance. Choose a cold day in late fall before the ground has frozen to dig up your existing juniper bush.

Do junipers attract wasps?

Honeydew, the undigested plant sugars that pass through the insects, drops onto foliage -- or anything under a tall juniper -- and draws flies, bees, wasps and ants to feed on the sugary goo. When the aphids or scale are active, they can attract a large number of flying and crawling insect pests.

How fast do blue junipers grow?

6-12" per yearYou can expect a growth rate of 6-12" per year to a mature height of 10-15 feet. Space 6-8 feet apart to accomodate a 6-8 foot spread.

How fast does a blue star juniper grow?

If the plant does reach its full size, it takes a long time. It might only grow to be a foot tall after five years, and don't expect it to reach maturity for at least two decades. That's one of the reasons this cultivar has become so popular in home gardens.

How far apart should I plant junipers?

Space ground cover varieties at least 5 to 6 feet apart. Hedge cultivars should be spaced 2 to 4 feet apart depending on the desired appearance. Plant larger juniper cultivars away from buildings, allowing enough room for the tree to grow to its maximum mature width without interference.

How big does a Blue Point Juniper get?

Moderate growing; reaches 12 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide.

What is the name of the dwarf conifer with blue needles?

If you have a juniper shrub with deep-blue needles like the dwarf conifer Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star, ’ for instance, then consider a golden dwarf conifer of another species. Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ has the same requirements as the Blue Star juniper and adds light and color with its soft tufts of brilliant gold foliage.

How tall do junipers get?

It can be a specimen tree in the backyard or part of a very tall windbreak. In contrast, certain cultivars of creeping junipers ( Juniperus horizontalis) get no taller than 6 inches (15.24 cm.). Once you’ve selected your juniper plant, you’ll have to think about what to plant next to junipers.

What are juniper bushes?

Junipers are attractive evergreen ornamentals that produce edible berries, popular with humans as well as wildlife. You’ll find 170 species of juniper in commerce, with either needle-like or scale-like foliage. They offer a striking color range, from light to bottle green, silver-blue to dark blue, and yellow to gold. Want to know what to plant next to juniper? How about shrubs that would make good companion plants for juniper? Read on for information on plants that grow well with juniper.

What is the best plant for juniper?

When you are looking for juniper plant companions, think about bamboo. Bamboo species, particularly dwarf bamboo plants, are also good choices for juniper companion plants. Tall bamboo mixes well with tall junipers, while groundcover juniper blends seamlessly with dwarf bamboo.

What is the best companion plant for a blue star juniper?

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ has the same requirements as the Blue Star juniper and adds light and color with its soft tufts of brilliant gold foliage. Any juniper with blue foliage also looks good near other blue-hued plants. Plants with blue flowers, berries or leaves make good companion plants for juniper.

How tall is a red cedar tree?

For example, Red Cedar ( Juniperus virginiana) presents as a pyramidal tree up to 50 feet (15.24 m.) tall. It can be a specimen tree in the backyard or part of a very tall windbreak.

Do juniper plants need sun?

Plants that grow well with juniper—juniper plant companions—will have the same soil, sun and irrigation requirements. Generally, juniper shrubs thrive with a full sun location. They also require soil with good drainage. Drought resistant, junipers withstand heat and dry periods much better than most ornamentals.

What is the name of the tree that grows on rocky cliffs?

The Greek juniper is a large shrub or tree that is often found growing alongside the stinking juniper ( Juniperus foetidissima)— a species with a similar appearance but which is lighter green. These hardy trees can even grow on the sides of rocky cliffs. Like many junipers, the leaves on juvenile Greek junipers are needles that become flattened scales as the tree matures. The foliage is gray-green, and the trunks can be quite massive—up to 6 feet in diameter. The cones on female trees are purple-blue berries.

What is the name of the plant that makes gin?

It is generally the female plants that produce colorful berries, which are actually modified cones. The berry/cones of the common juniper ( Juniperus communis) provide the flavoring for gin.

Why is a juniper drooping?

Drooping juniper gets its name because of the way that the branchlets droop down. As juveniles, these upright trees have needle-like leaves that become flattened scales in the mature plants. This tree has a reddish-brown or gray bark that sheds in strips and the cones are greenish berries that mature into purplish-brown.

Why is a juniper tree called a drooping juniper?

Drooping juniper gets its name because of the way that the branchlets droop down. As juveniles, these upright trees have needle-like leaves that become flattened scales in the mature plants. This tree has a reddish-brown or gray bark that sheds in strips and the cones are greenish berries that mature into purplish-brown.

What is a red cedar tree?

Red cedar is a form of juniper that is especially fragrant, a quality that is sometimes used to repel insects (the wood is often used in cedar chests). This is an upright tree with dark blue-green scale-like foliage. The bark is gray to reddish-brown and often shreds in vertical strips; the trunk is sometimes fluted at the bottom. It is used as a specimen tree or in large screen plantings. Do not plant this tree near apple trees, as it is a host to cedar-apple rust fungus. Unlike many junipers, this tree has a fairly good tolerance for moisture, though it does not like to soak in boggy soil.

What is a Chinese Juniper?

One variety of the Chinese juniper ('Toruloso') is known as the Hollywood juniper. As it matures it creates an intriguing twisted form that works well as a specimen plant. There are many other varieties composed of different shapes and colors. The leaves on Chinese juniper are needle-like when the plants are young, but assume the shape of scales as the plant matures. This is one of the junipers with good tolerance for urban conditions, but it does not like wet soils.

What family is Juniper?

The junipers include roughly 60 different species of trees and shrubs in the Juniperus genus, within the cypress ( Cupressaceae) family of plants. Although come junipers use the work cedar in their common names, these plants are not members of the Cedrus genus. The leaves of these evergreen conifers usually take the form ...

What is the difference between coral bells and tiramisu?

Avoid the temptation to buy the gorgeous deep purple and bronze cultivars for deep shade gardens. Although they’ll grow well, they easily dissolve into the shadows. Tiramisu offers multicolored foliage from spring through fall and creamy white flowers in summer, making the plant pop in dark shade all season.

What color is astilbe?

For a strong color statement, plant a mass of astilbe in a shady area of the landscape. Available in shades of red, pink, purple, or white, astilbe delivers a strong color statement otherwise hard to match under trees. Rheinland Astilbe sends up its beautiful pink 2-foot tall flower spikes in spring and early summer, attracting a variety of pollinators to your shade garden.

How tall do begonias grow?

Angel Wing Begonias have large waxy leaves, grow to about 18 inches tall, and bloom in either pink or red.

What is a Patriot plantain lily?

Plantain Lily, Hosta ‘Patriot’. Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, add luxuriant fleshy foliage in myriad colors and sizes, along with midsummer flower spikes to the shade garden. With scores of Hosta cultivars from which to choose, Patriot should always rise to the final cut for a coveted garden spot.

What is an autumn fern?

Autumn Fern is a tough woodland plant that withstands dry conditions and grows equally well in deep shade or partial sunlight. Plus, Autumn Fern’s mature green fronds persist well after the first hard freeze of the season, adding structure and interest through four seasons in the landscape. USDA Zones: 4 to 9.

What is the most popular wildflower in the shade?

The beloved Trillium deserves a spot in any shade garden conversation. Of all the woodland wildflowers, the early spring ephemeral White Trillium probably makes the list for the most popular among gardeners. What’s not to love about these native flowers? They easily naturalize in open wooded areas or beneath shade trees with moist, rich soil. Their large, snow-white flowers slowly mature to pink before the tiny seed capsules ripen and the plant dies back to the ground in summer.

When do Hellebores bloom?

Hellebores always make excellent choices for shady areas. They have evergreen foliage and bloom between early winter and midspring, depending on the cultivar. Ivory Prince Lenten Rose is a low, spreading cultivar with leathery foliage and creamy white flowers.

What is the best under tree cover?

Some other popular choices for under-tree cover include sweet woodruff ( Galium odoratum ), which has white flowers and fragrant foliage, and grasses in the Ophiopogon species, like Black Mondo grass. Vinca vine ( Vinca minor ) is valued for its glossy leaves and blue flowers.

What to do with pine straw under evergreens?

If all else fails and you throw up your hands and give up on the idea of planting anything under an evergreen, then your best option is probably using mulch in your field or lawn. Or, you can simply encircle the no-growth-zone with an edging material and let the pine straw serve as your mulch.

Why is it so hard to plant evergreen trees?

Planting under evergreen trees such as eastern white pines is challenging, in part, due to soil acidity. But it is not enough to find plants that grow in acidic soils .

What to look for under a tree?

Since the spot under trees usually looks barren, what you a really looking for is a plant that is a good filler. Also, to choke out weeds under a tree, a ground cover must be vigorous. There are a couple that you can consider like Hosta, better-known as a foliage plant, with the H. Plantaginea variety that bears nice flowers.

Can you reseed an evergreen every year?

If you have a well-established evergreen and everything dies under it or you find yourself constantly reseeding your yard, it can become a costly proposition every year. You may be somewhat limited in your planting choices, but there are some plants that will get the job done.

Is Vinca invasive?

Vinca, however, can be invasive, so weigh this factor into your decision to grow it. Another plant so tough that it can survive these conditions (at the cost of being potentially invasive) is lily-of-the-valley ( Convallaria majalis ). It offers white, bell-shaped flowers that are very fragrant.

Is shade tolerant invasive?

You do have to remain wary about the type of plants you pick, there are many shade-tolerant plants that are considered invasive. Research your selections well and to be on the safe side, check with your local extension office to make sure you are not planting a problem for your landscaping.