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Juniper scaly Holger is a perennial evergreen shrub. The historical homeland of the plant is the foothills of the Himalayas; the culture is found in Eastern China and on the island of Taiwan. Thanks to the decorative habit shown in the photo, Holger scaly juniper is widely used in landscape design as a tapeworm and an element of various compositions.
Description of juniper scaly Holger
Scaly juniper Holger is a low-growing spreading shrub with horizontal, drooping branches. The central shoots grow upright with sharp ends. The shrub's trunk is short, the lower branches are located strictly horizontally, low from the ground. They grow unevenly, the volume of the bush along the protruding tops of the lower stems is 1.5–1.7 m.
The duration of the biological cycle of juniper squamata is more than 200 years. Holger grows slowly, adding up to 8–10 cm every year. In 10 years it grows up to 0.5 m and is considered an adult. The end point of growth is 0.7 m.The size and decorativeness of the shrub depends on the location; the crop's drought resistance is average and does not tolerate dry air well.
The best option for a comfortable growing season is partial shade near a pond. In a completely shaded area with high humidity, for example, under tall trees, the crown becomes sparse, the needles are smaller, constantly wet soil can cause rotting of the root system and the plant will die.
Juniper scaly Holger is grown in all Russian regions except the Far North. The frost resistance of the species is high enough to withstand temperatures down to -35 0C. If the shoots are damaged in winter, the bush is completely restored during the growing season.
External description of scaly juniper Holger:
- The diameter of the branches at the base is 3–4 cm. The surface is light gray, rough.
- The needles are needle-shaped at the base of the branches, scaly on young shoots, densely arranged. The color of perennial needles is light green below, the upper part has a blue tint, the needles on young shoots are bright yellow. By winter the color does not change.
- The cones are steel-colored, medium-sized, formed every year, and contain essential oils. Seeds per cone – 2 pcs., suitable for growing juniper.
- The fibrous root system grows widely and is located close to the surface.
Juniper scaly Holger in landscape design
Scaly juniper Holger has a variegated three-color color; its bright decorative habit makes the crop attractive to professional designers and amateur gardeners.The plant is used for landscaping parks, squares, city flower beds and ridges. This type of culture is an integral attribute in the design solution when designing heather gardens, personal plots, and flower beds in the foreground of administrative buildings. The photo shows an option for using Holger juniper in garden design.
Scaly juniper is used as a single plant and is also planted to create compositions. The shrub looks aesthetically pleasing in combination with thuja and heather varieties. The shrub emphasizes the color of flowering plants, for example, roses, barberry, dimorphotheca. Harmonizes with dwarf pines and firs. Used for decoration:
- flower beds;
- discounts;
- coastal parts of water bodies;
- slopes of rocky terrain;
- planted near stones in rock gardens;
- frame the hill of the rock garden.
Planting and caring for juniper scaly Holger
For juniper scaly Holger, choose a sunny place, periodic shading is allowed. The plant is light-loving and responds well to dry air and moisture deficiency. Any soil composition is suitable, the main condition is that the soil must be light, drained, and fertile.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
A seedling for planting is taken at 3 years of age; you can purchase it or grow it yourself. If the root is open, before planting it is treated with a manganese solution and placed in the Kornevin preparation to stimulate growth.
The site is dug up 2 weeks before planting, sand, peat and compost are added.The hole is dug taking into account the volume of the root system, it should be 10–15 cm wider, 60–70 cm deep. The bottom is covered with a layer (20 cm) of drainage, gravel or broken bricks are used.
Landing rules
If the scaly Holger juniper has an open root system, it is dipped into a thick clay solution. Landing:
- Soil is poured onto the holes, and a small cone-shaped hill is made in the center.
- Place the seedling and carefully distribute the roots.
- Cover with earth, leaving 10 cm to the edge.
- Fill the hole with sawdust from above.
- The root collar is not deepened.
If the root system is closed, dilute Kornevin in water and water the seedling. The tree trunk circle is mulched.
Watering and fertilizing
The watering regime for scaly juniper is set in accordance with seasonal precipitation. The amount of moisture required for crop growth is 10 liters per day. If the plant is located far from a pond, sprinkling is necessary in hot weather in the morning or evening. Holger is fed in the spring (before reaching the age of three) with complex mineral fertilizers. Mature shrubs do not need fertilizing.
Mulching and loosening
After placement on the site, the soil around the seedling is mulched. For scaly Holger juniper, crushed tree bark is used. This mulch composition adds aesthetics to the appearance of ornamental shrubs and retains moisture well. In autumn, the layer is increased with peat or straw. In spring, the mulch is renewed. Loosening is indicated for young seedlings until the lower branches grow. The procedure is carried out as it grows weed.
Trimming and shaping
Juniper horizontal Holger gives a small annual growth. Once the desired shape is formed, it is maintained by one-time pruning in the spring.Work is carried out before the start of sap flow. The shrub has a bright, lush crown; it is often left in its original form. In the spring, sanitary cleaning is carried out, areas frozen over the winter are removed, and dry shoots are cut off. I form the crown of scaly juniper after the height of the seedling reaches 30 cm.
Preparing for winter
In autumn, the mulch layer is increased by 10 cm, young plants are hilled up, then covered with straw. Adult plants are watered with large volumes of water. Scaly juniper is a frost-resistant crop, but the structure of the wood is quite fragile; the crown can break under the weight of snow. For the winter, the branches are raised and secured to the trunk using a tourniquet. Young plants are covered with spruce branches on top or wrapped with cloth. In severe frosts, snow is thrown over the bush.
Reproduction of juniper Holger
Juniper juniperus squamata Holger (scaly Holger) can be propagated on the site in several ways:
- Generative method. The culture produces full-fledged seeds that fully retain the varietal characteristics of the parent bush.
- Layering from the lower branches. To obtain a seedling in the spring, the lower branch is fixed to the ground and covered with soil; by autumn it will take root.
- Using cuttings from 2-year-old shoots, cut material 12-15 cm long.
Less commonly used is the method of grafting onto the trunk of a tall seedling.
Diseases and pests
Scaly juniper is resistant to fungal and bacterial infections. It is not recommended to plant the crop near apple trees; proximity to a fruit tree causes the development of needle rust. Of the garden pests that parasitize shrubs:
- Juniper sawfly. If detected, treat the crown with Karbofos.
- Juniper is often attacked by aphids; its appearance is provoked by ants. Pests are eliminated as follows: cut off areas of the main localization of the colony, get rid of anthills.
- The scale insect is a less common parasite; the insect appears in dry weather with minimal air humidity. Destroy scale insects with insecticides.
For preventive purposes, scaly Holger juniper is treated with copper-containing preparations.
Conclusion
Juniper scaly Holger is a frost-resistant, low-maintenance crop. The low-growing shrub has a bright decorative habit. The crop is grown in the European and Central parts of Russia. Widely used in the design of the landscape of a personal plot, urban recreation areas, used in design as a single plant and as part of a composition.
