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Juniper Horstmann is one of the exotic representatives of the species. The vertical shrub forms a weeping type of crown with a wide variety of shapes. A perennial plant of a hybrid variety created for the design of the territory.
Description of Juniper Horstmann
The evergreen perennial forms a cone-shaped crown. The lower branches of the creeping type reach a length of 2 m, the upper shoots grow vertically, the tops are drooping. The older the plant, the more the branches droop, creating a weeping type of habit. The height of the Horstmann juniper reaches 2.5 m, the volume of the crown is 2 m. The shrub forms a well-defined trunk, thanks to this property it is possible to grow the crop as a short tree, and by pruning it can be given any shape.
In a year, the length of juniper branches increases by 10 cm, height by 5 cm. When the shrub reaches 10 years, it is considered an adult; its growth stops.Juniper is a seedling with a medium level of drought tolerance; it tolerates high temperatures provided it is watered moderately. To make the crown decorative, a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation is necessary. The vegetation period is not affected by periodic shading; in the shade of tall trees, the needles become smaller, thin out, and lose their brightness of color.
Horstmann juniper was created for cultivation in temperate climates; according to gardeners, the variety tolerates low temperatures well. Frost resistance of Horstmann juniper is high, it can withstand frosts down to -30 0C, during the season the frozen tops are restored. A perennial on a site can grow for more than 150 years without losing its decorative habit. Minor growth does not require constant pruning and the formation of a bush.
External characteristics:
- The branches of medium volume are dark pink, the shape of the bush is cone-shaped, the lower part is wide and tapers upward; in an adult plant, the volume of the lower part and growth are the same.
- The triangular light green needles are up to 1 cm long, prickly, grow densely, remain on the branches for 4 years, then are gradually renewed. The color does not change with the onset of autumn.
- The plant blooms with yellow flowers and produces large quantities of fruits in the form of cones every year. Young berries are light green; as they ripen, they become beige with a blue tint.
- The root system is superficial, fibrous, the root circle is 35 cm.
Juniper Horstmann in the landscape
Due to its exotic appearance, the spreading crown of the weeping shrub is widely used by designers to design the landscape of gardens, personal plots, recreation areas, and areas adjacent to administrative buildings. The frost resistance of Horstmann juniper allows the perennial to be cultivated in the Central and European parts of the Russian Federation, in the Moscow region, and Leningrad region.
Horstmann juniper is grown as a single element against the background of an array or in the center of an open area. The shrub planted in the background of the composition favorably emphasizes the dwarf varieties of coniferous trees. Used as a tapeworm (single plant) in the center of a flower bed. The weeping type of Horstmann juniper crown looks harmonious on the shore of an artificial reservoir, near the rock garden. Creates an accent in a rock garden near the main composition of stones. Group planting in a line along a garden path visually creates the perception of an alley. Bushes planted around the perimeter of the garden gazebo create the impression of a corner of wild nature in a coniferous forest. A plant placed anywhere in the garden will give the area a special flavor. The photo shows an example of how Horstmann juniper is used in landscape design.
Planting and caring for Horstmann juniper
Common juniper Horstmann can grow on any soil, but the decorativeness of the crown directly depends on the composition. When planting, plants choose neutral or acidic soils. Even a small concentration of salts and alkali will affect the appearance of the plant.
When planting Horstmann juniper, preference is given to well-drained loams and rocky soil; the best option is sandstone. Wet soils are not suitable for the crop.The area should be well lit, temporary shading is possible. The proximity of fruit trees, especially apple trees, is not allowed. When placed close to the juniper, a fungal infection develops - needle rust.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
For planting, choose Horstmann juniper of good quality without damaging the bark, there should be no dry areas on the roots, and there must be needles on the branches. Before planting, the root system is disinfected in a manganese solution for 2 hours, then dipped in a preparation that stimulates the growth of the root system for 30 minutes.
The planting pit is prepared 10 days before placing the plant on the site. The size of the hole is calculated taking into account that the width of the recess is 25 cm wider than the root. Measure the stem of the seedling to the root collar, add a layer of drainage (15 cm) and soil (10 cm). The root collar remains above the surface (6 cm above the soil). The sum of the indicators corresponds to the depth of the hole, approximately 65-80 cm.
Landing rules
Planting work begins with the preparation of a nutrient mixture consisting of peat, compost, sand, and turf layer in equal proportions. The prepared soil is divided into 2 parts. Sequencing:
- Drainage is placed at the bottom of the planting hole: small stone, broken brick, expanded clay, gravel.
- Top with one part of the mixture.
- The Horstmann Pendulla juniper seedling is placed vertically in the center of the hole.
- Separate the roots so that they do not intertwine and distribute them along the bottom of the hole.
- Pour out the remaining soil and fill the hole with soil.
- The root circle is compacted and watered.
The lower branches of the Horstmann juniper are spreading, the plant does not tolerate crowding during mass planting.
Watering and fertilizing
The Horstmann juniper variety is drought-resistant; an adult plant can go without watering for a long time. Seasonal precipitation will be sufficient for growth. In dry summers, sprinkling is carried out 3 times a week. Young seedlings require more moisture. Within two months after placement on the site, the seedling is watered at the root. The frequency of watering is once every 5 days.
No feeding is required for adult crops. In spring, fertilizers are applied to seedlings under three years of age. They use organic matter and complex fertilizers.
Mulching and loosening
After planting, the root circle of the Horstmann juniper is covered with a mulch layer (10 cm): sawdust, dry leaves, the best option is sunflower husk or chopped tree bark. The main task of mulching is to maintain moisture.
Weeding weed and soil loosening is carried out on young Horstmann juniper shrubs until the lower branches lie on the ground. After lodging the crown, there is no need for loosening and weeding. Weeds do not grow, moisture is maintained, and the top layer of soil does not dry out.
How to shape Horstmann juniper
Health-improving pruning of the crop is carried out in early spring, removing frozen and dry areas. The formation of the Horstmann juniper crown in accordance with the design decision begins with three years of growth.
A frame of the desired design is built for the plant, branches are fixed to it, giving all kinds of shapes.If the Horstmann juniper is left in its natural form, in order to maintain the pyramidal shape, a long pole is installed, to which the central stem is tied. Branches can be pruned as desired.
Preparing for winter
The level of frost resistance of Horstmann juniper allows an adult plant to overwinter without additional shelter. In the fall, water-recharging irrigation is carried out and the mulch layer is increased. Seedlings are more susceptible to low temperatures than adult plants. In the fall they are hilled up, mulched, if severe frosts are expected, then arches are installed, covering material is pulled on, and covered with leaves or spruce branches on top.
Horstmann juniper propagation
The juniper variety Horstmann Pendula can be propagated in several ways:
- grafting onto a trunk of another type of crop;
- by cuttings from shoots no younger than three years old;
- layering of lower branches;
- seeds.
Horstmann juniper is rarely propagated by seeds, since the process is long and there is no guarantee that the resulting bush will have the characteristics of the parent plant.
Diseases and pests
The juniper variety has stable immunity to infection; if there are no fruit trees nearby, the plant does not get sick. There are few pests that parasitize shrubs, these include:
- juniper sawfly. Get rid of insects using Karbofos;
- aphid. They destroy it with a soap solution, cut off areas where parasites accumulate, and get rid of nearby anthills;
- scale insect. Eliminate insects with insecticides.
In the spring, for preventive purposes, bushes are treated with products containing copper.
Conclusion
Juniper Horstmann is a perennial shrub used in landscape design.An evergreen plant with a weeping crown tolerates low temperatures well, does not require special care, and can remain in one place for more than 150 years. The growth over the season is insignificant; there is no need for constant formation and pruning of the bush.
