Chinese juniper: Spartan, Variegata, Blauw, Blue Heaven

In botany, there are more than 70 species of juniper, one of which is the Chinese juniper. The plant is actively grown in Russia and used in the field of landscape design. Classification of the most popular varieties with photos of Chinese juniper will help in choosing the appropriate option for cultivation.

Description of Chinese juniper

Chinese juniper is a member of the Cypress family, whose place of origin is considered to be China, Japan, Manchuria and North Korea. The crop grows in the form of a shrub or tree up to 20 m in height, with dark green shoots. This type of juniper has two types of needles: needle-shaped and scaly. Its color also depends on the plant variety and can vary from yellow, green to white-variegated color.

The shrub received its name in honor of its habitat, and the cultivation of Chinese juniper in Europe began around the beginning of the 19th century. In the 1850s, the first shoots of the tree were brought to the Nikitsky Botanical Garden (Crimea), and a little later - to the gardens of the North Caucasus.

At the initial stages, the development of Chinese juniper is slow, but soon the plant begins to grow more intensively, gradually reaching its true size.

The shrub has a fairly high level of frost resistance (up to -30 ˚C), however, young seedlings need shelter for the winter period. Chinese juniper is not picky about the level of soil fertility and its moisture, but it is important to consider: low air humidity can provoke the occurrence of various diseases. The level of air pollution does not play an important role in the development of juniper: the tree can tolerate the conditions of both arid steppes and a noisy city. It is best to plant Chinese juniper in the southwestern part of the forest zone, the western and central parts of the forest-steppe and steppe zones. The best places for growing shrubs are the Crimea and the Caucasus.

In addition to aesthetic features, Chinese juniper has a number of useful properties: for example, for the production of anti-inflammatory drugs in folk medicine for external use. Preparations made from juniper needles help fight skin diseases, radiculitis and polyarthritis, and relieve rheumatic pain. The roots of the plant are also endowed with healing properties: they are used to treat diseases of the respiratory system, including tuberculosis, and the branches of Chinese juniper help cope with allergies.

Chinese juniper in landscape design

Gardeners often use Chinese juniper for decorative purposes: creating landscape compositions or in gardening. The plant adapts well to cutting and shaping, which allows the bushes to be given various design shapes. Chinese juniper is actively used in the creation of coniferous and mixed borders, as well as as a complement to other landscape compositions (rock gardens and rock gardens).

Another advantage of using the plant in landscape design is the ability of Chinese juniper to purify the air around it. In one day, a hectare of such coniferous plantings can release more than 30 kg of phytoncides into the environment. This amount of antiseptics is enough to disinfect the air of one large city. Several plant seedlings will be an excellent option for planting in a summer cottage.

Varieties of Chinese juniper

Today, botany includes more than 20 species of Chinese juniper, each of which is characterized by its own properties.Before purchasing a bush, it is important to carefully familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each plant variety, its characteristics and care rules.

Juniper Chinese Spartan

Chinese juniper Spartan is a tree with a cone-shaped crown and a rapid growth rate. At the age of ten years, the plant reaches about 3 m in height, which allows designers to use the Spartan variety to create hedges.

The maximum height of the tree is 5 m with a crown diameter of 2.5 m. The shoots on juniper are located vertically, and the growth rate of branches per year reaches 15 cm in length. The plant has dense needle-shaped needles of light green color.

The Spartan variety is often planted in moderately moist soils. Ephedra has a high level of frost resistance, is undemanding to the soil composition and is photophilous. In addition to creating hedges, gardeners recommend including trees in group compositions, combining them with low-growing species.

Juniper Expansa Variegata

Chinese juniper Expansa Variegata is a dwarf shrub whose maximum dimensions are 40 cm in height and 1.5 m in width. The shoots of the plant spread down the ground, forming a bright green needle-like carpet. The needles of the Chinese juniper variety Variegata are presented in the form of needles and scales, have a rich green-blue color, and the fruits of the shrub are small (5 - 7 mm) light green cones. The shrub of this variety also has a distinctive feature: some of its needles are painted a soft cream color.

Fans of dwarf plant varieties quite often choose this particular type of Chinese juniper because of the low growth rate of shoots - only 30 cm in 10 years of growth.

The shrub is planted in rocky, moderately nutrient-rich soil. It is strictly not recommended to grow the Expansa Variegata variety at home - the plant prefers to spread along the ground, so the best place for its cultivation would be a small summer cottage.

Juniper Blauw

Chinese juniper Blauw is an evergreen, slow-growing shrub with crown-shaped needles. The plant appeared in Europe in the 20s of the twentieth century, when the first shrub seedlings were imported from Japan. Traditionally, the Blauw variety was used to decorate Japanese gardens, and also as an element of ikebana. Its distinctive characteristics are straight shoots growing strictly upward, which gives the shrub its characteristic shape. In the classic description, the maximum height of the Chinese Blowweed juniper is 2.5 m with a crown diameter of 2 m, however, these figures may vary: it all depends on the level of humidity and soil fertility. The plant has scaly needles of a gray-blue color. Ephedra is undemanding to soil; it grows and develops especially well in soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction, as well as in alkaline soil. Excellent for planting on city streets, since the level of air pollution has virtually no effect on the condition of the plant. The only enemy of the Blauw variety can be sawflies,

Gardeners recommend combining this variety of juniper with tall types of ornamental crops, placing the shrub in a semi-shaded area.

Juniper Blue Haven

Dendrologists consider this variety to be one of the most richly colored shrub species. Chinese juniper Blue Haven is characterized by a conical shape and a dense crown of sky-blue color that persists throughout the year. Landscape designers often use this variety to create hedges, as well as as a vertical element in a garden composition. The needles of the plant have a wide conical shape with raised cylindrical shoots. At maturity, the Blue Heaven variety reaches 5 m in height and more than 2 m in width. The culture has a high level of winter hardiness and prefers sunny or slightly shaded areas. It is not recommended to plant the plant in the shade so that its needles do not become lethargic and loose. The Blue Heaven variety is undemanding to soil and grows well in any well-drained soil, regardless of its level of fertility. Designers use this type of Chinese juniper as a vertical element in creating rock gardens and contrasting landscape compositions.

Chinese juniper Plumosa Aurea

Chinese juniper Plumosa Aurea is especially valued by landscape designers for the rich yellow color of its needles. At the age of 10 years, the plant reaches 1 m in height with a crown diameter of 1 m. Ephedra has a wide spreading crown with slightly asymmetrical feathery branches. The annual growth of the Plumosa Aurea variety is 5 - 8 cm in height and about 10 cm in width.The needles of the plant are scaly, golden-yellow in color, the ends of the shoots hang down slightly. Juniper of this type is often used to create group or single plantings, for landscaping alpine hills, rockeries, and also for rocky slopes.

Juniper Monarch

Description of the variety: Chinese Monarch juniper is a tall, monochromatic tree with an irregular columnar-shaped crown and dense needles. The growth rate of the plant is slow, it can reach a maximum of 3 m in height and 2.5 m in width. Ephedra is most often used to form hedges, as well as as a central figure in the garden. The Monarch variety has prickly needles colored bluish-green, which from a distance is perceived as a pure blue color. Not picky about lighting, the plant can be grown both in sunny places and in semi-shaded areas. The tree is undemanding when it comes to planting soil and watering, but does not tolerate drafts: they can provoke the appearance of various diseases and the death of the conifer. This variety of Chinese juniper requires only sanitary pruning: there is no need to constantly trim growing shoots.

Juniper Obelisk

According to the description, the Obelisk juniper is a tall tree with an irregularly shaped crown, which smoothly transitions from narrow-conical to wide. At the age of 10 years, the height of the plant is 3 m. The variety has hard awl-shaped needles covered with a blue coating. Ephedra is undemanding to soil and watering; it grows best in sunny places, but in shaded areas it becomes dry and loose.Sanitary pruning of the plant is carried out in the spring, after which the juniper should be treated with a fungicide to protect against fungal diseases. Important! Experts do not recommend cutting off more than 1/3 of the growth.

The crop does not require shelter for the winter, however, at the end of autumn, the branches of the plant should be tied together to prevent injury to the crown due to the severity of the snow cover.

Juniper Kaizuka

Chinese juniper Kaizuka (Kaizuka) is an evergreen coniferous plant with an unusual color of needles, changing in color from green to dark blue. At the ends of the branches there are rich beige spots. The branches of the plant are located horizontally, parallel to the ground. The crown has an irregular shape, with shoots differing in length. In adulthood, it reaches more than 5 meters in height with a crown diameter of 2 m. The Kaizuka variety has needle-shaped, prickly needles with a rich green color in the middle of the needles and a silver-blue tint at the ends. Some of the plant's needles are beige in color, which makes the plant more exotic. The root system of the tree is branched, the variety does not tolerate soil with a high salt content, which is why black soil is considered the best soil for planting it. Designers often call this variety “apple juniper” because the beige spots on the body of the plant really resemble these fruits. The small height of the tree allows Kaizuka juniper to be used to create low and medium-sized hedges. The plant will serve as an excellent decoration for both single flower beds and complex compositions.

Juniperus chinensis Keteleri

Chinese juniper Keteleri is a fast-growing, tall coniferous tree, reaching more than 5 m in height when mature. The plant is characterized by an upright, dense, columnar-shaped crown with branches arranged vertically and a special coniferous aroma. The Keteleri juniper variety has scaly needles pointed at the ends of a bright green color with a bluish waxy coating.

Gardeners recommend planting the plant in well-lit areas, while the ephedra normally tolerates slight shading. It grows and develops better on fertile, moderately moist, drained soil and has a high level of frost and wind resistance.

The culture is used to create evergreen hedges, group compositions and looks especially good in combination with golden-yellow conifers, as well as separately on a green lawn.

Juniper chinensis Expansa Aureospicata

Chinese juniper Expansa Aureospicata is a low-growing, slow-growing dwarf shrub with a wide, spreading crown and shoots spreading horizontally along the ground. In adulthood, it reaches 30 - 40 cm in height with a crown width of up to 1.5 m. The annual growth of the plant is up to 10 cm in width. It grows better in sunny areas; shaded areas can provoke a loss of decorative qualities of the crown. Chinese juniper Expansa Aureospicata will be a good addition to the design of rocky gardens and oriental-style gardens.

Juniperus chinensis Pfitzeriana

The Chinese Pfitzerian juniper is characterized by a slow growth rate - up to 15 - 20 cm per year.At the age of 10 years, the plant reaches 1 m in height, and the maximum size of the shrub is about 2 m in height with a crown diameter of 3 - 4 m. Chinese juniper Pfitzeriana has an outstretched crown shape, which then rises slightly with hanging ends of the shoots. When young, the shoots are golden yellow, which becomes bright green over the years.

The variety is actively used in landscape design for creating bonsai and decorating rocky walls.

Juniperus chinensis Blue and Gold

Chinese juniper Blue and Gold is one of the most original ornamental shrubs with an unusual crown shape, consisting of shoots of blue and yellow colors. At the age of 10 years, the plant reaches about 0.8 m in height with a crown diameter of 1 m. The crown of the bush is spreading, with an irregular shape. Ephedra is endowed with bright phytoncidal, insecticidal and bactericidal properties.

It is undemanding to soil and moisture, develops better in illuminated spaces, and in shaded areas it may lose color contrast. This Chinese juniper has a high level of frost resistance.

Blue and Gold seedlings are equally suitable for both small areas and large garden and park contrasting compositions that can decorate city lawns.

Juniperus chinensis Gold Coast

Chinese Gold Coast juniper is an evergreen, fast-growing conifer with a dense spreading crown of golden-green color. In adulthood, it usually reaches 1 m in height with a diameter of 2 m. The annual growth of the shrub is about 10 - 15 cm.During the period of active growth, horizontal shoots with drooping ends have a bright yellow color, which darkens over time and acquires a golden hue. The fruits of the plant are represented by small round-shaped cones. The shrub is undemanding to the soil, prefers illuminated areas: in shaded areas it develops much worse, losing its color. The plant is resistant to severe frost, dry periods and active spring sun.

Juniperus chinensis Dubs Frosted

Chinese juniper Dubs Frosted is a slow-growing cushion-shaped shrub with a spreading crown. It is considered one of the most valuable varieties of low-growing juniper. In adulthood, it reaches 0.4 - 0.6 m in height with a crown diameter of 3 - 5 m. A distinctive feature of the species is its bright yellow color of needles, which changes to dark green over time. The Dubs Frosted variety is a light-loving plant, which, however, feels quite comfortable in semi-shaded areas. When planting, it is best to choose moist, well-drained soil. Ephedra needs regular watering. It is actively used by designers to create both complex garden compositions and single plantings.

Juniperus chinensis Torulosa Variegata

Chinese juniper variety Torulosa Variegata is distinguished by a conical dense picturesque crown of irregular shape. The branches of the plant are in an elevated state and are evenly spaced. The shoots are straight and short. The shrub has prickly blue-green needles; shoots of a white-variegated hue can often be seen on the plant.

The growth rate is slow, in adulthood the shrub reaches 2 m in height with a crown diameter of 1.5 m, annual growth is up to 10 cm. It is unpretentious to the soil, has a high level of frost resistance, grows better in sunny areas, and loses its rich color in the shade . The Chinese juniper variety Torulosa Variegata will perfectly complement the design of a rocky garden or rock garden.

Planting and caring for Chinese juniper

Chinese juniper is undemanding in care, however, when buying even such an unpretentious plant, it is important to carefully study all the rules for its maintenance.

Landing rules

Before sowing Chinese juniper, gardeners recommend adding a little soil from juniper plant species to the planting furrows: this will promote the spread of mycorrhiza.

The optimal place for planting cuttings is sunny areas: in shaded areas the plant gradually begins to lose its decorative properties and becomes dry and loose. The distance between seedlings is influenced by the variety of Chinese juniper: columnar varieties are planted at a distance of 0.5 - 1 m from each other, and trees with a spreading crown need a larger area for development - 1.5 - 2 m. The planting depth of the bush is 70 cm When planting to the root ball, you need to add a little soil, and if necessary, create drainage from broken bricks and sand in a layer of up to 20 cm. Planting large representatives of Chinese juniper has its own specifics: the root collar of the seedling should extend 5 - 10 cm beyond the edges of the planting hole . It is best to buy seedlings with a closed root system.Plants with bare roots require more effort in care, as well as limited time for planting: they can only be planted at the end of April and until the beginning of May, or at the end of August and until the beginning of September. Exposed roots also require additional treatment with special root formation stimulants.

Seedlings in containers have a higher level of viability and can be planted in a permanent place at any time of the year. Chinese juniper is mostly undemanding in terms of soil fertility.

The optimal soil composition for a plant includes:

• 2 parts peat;
• 1 part each of turf soil and sand.

The ratio of components can be changed depending on the type of Chinese juniper.

In order to prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil, a drainage cushion of 10 cm of sand and 10 cm of crushed stone should be made at the bottom of the hole (expanded clay can also be used).

Watering and fertilizing

Young shrub seedlings need regular watering. After rooting, watering the plants is reduced to 4 times per season (up to 1 time per month). After each watering, it is necessary to weed and slightly loosen the soil around the seedling.

In hot weather, the crown needs constant spraying: young plants can hardly tolerate hot air. Spraying should be carried out exclusively after sunset or before sunrise.

Mulching and loosening

Loosening the soil should be a mandatory procedure immediately after watering. Fertilizing the soil is done only once: every season, in early June, nitroammophoska must be added to the soil in a ratio of 30 - 40 g per 1 m².

Pruning Chinese juniper

Most varieties of Chinese juniper are characterized by a slow growth rate, so there is no need for frequent pruning of the bushes. It is only important to ensure that no dried or diseased branches appear on the plant: they should be removed immediately.

Preparing for winter

Chinese juniper has a high level of frost resistance and is well suited for growing in central Russia without additional shelter. However, after planting, in the early stages of development, shrubs need protection from heavy snowfalls and severe frosts. To do this, the seedlings need to be covered with spruce branches and special protective material. In autumn, Chinese juniper needs to be mulched with a layer of up to 10 cm - peat or sawdust.

You can find out more information about the features of Chinese juniper from the video:

Propagation of Chinese juniper

Chinese juniper can be propagated in several ways.

The first and most common option is propagation using cuttings. The material for planting is prepared in February: for this purpose, young shoots of the plant, but already covered with bark, are taken. It is best to choose cuttings from 5 to 25 cm, with more than two internodes.

The lower part of the seedling must be protected from branches and needles, and also soaked in Kornevin. Pre-prepared boxes should be filled with a mixture of sand, humus and peat in equal proportions. Afterwards, immerse the planting material in the soil to a depth of 2 - 3 cm. Place the container with seedlings in a well-lit area, after covering it with a protective film. The cuttings need to be regularly watered and sprayed, and after 1 - 3 years they need to be planted in open ground.

The second option for propagating Chinese juniper is propagation by layering. This method is better suited for horizontal plant species. The circle around the bush needs to be loosened and fertilized with a mixture of sand and peat. After cleaning several sections of the side shoot in several areas from the bark and pressing it with pins, sprinkle soil on top. A young plant needs regular and moderate watering. You can separate the cuttings from the mother bush as early as next year.

The third and most labor-intensive method of propagating Chinese juniper is using seeds. This option allows you to get the largest number of young and absolutely healthy plant bushes. They use cones covered with a black shell with seeds already ripened inside.

Before planting, seeds must undergo stratification. With this method of propagation of Chinese juniper, the first shoots can be expected only 1 - 3 years after planting. Before sowing, it is necessary to stratify the seeds. For 30 days, the planting material must be kept at a temperature of 25 - 30 °C, and in the next four months - at a temperature of 14 - 15 °C. In the spring, the seeds of the plant are cleared of the pericarp and then scarified (the hard integument is slightly disturbed).

Diseases and pests

The most common diseases of Chinese juniper are:

1. Rust. Symptoms of the disease appear as brownish growths with an orange coating. Rust provokes the death of individual parts of the bush, and soon the final death of the plant. That is why, upon discovering the first signs of the disease, you need to immediately remove the diseased branches and treat the bush with Arceride solution.
   
2. Drying branches. If the Chinese juniper turns yellow, the bark of the plant begins to dry out, and the needles fall off, you need to immediately remove the branches affected by the disease, protect the cuts with a 1% solution of copper sulfate, and then treat these places with garden varnish. To prevent the disease in spring or autumn, Chinese juniper should be treated with 1% Bordeaux mixture or a special preparation (for example, Hom). If the disease recurs, treatment can be carried out in the summer.
3. Brown Schutte. Most often, it appears in the spring with yellowing of the plant and browning of the needles. The needles remain in place, but the branches themselves begin to die, which is why the shrub loses its decorative qualities. Treatment of brown schutte is identical to treatment for drying out of branches: it is necessary to immediately trim and burn the affected branches of the bush and treat the juniper with special preparations.

The most common pests of juniper are aphids, leafminer moths and spider mites. Preparations such as Fitoverm, Decis and Karate (in the ratio according to the instructions) will help protect the bush.

Conclusion

Chinese juniper is one of the types of junipers that are actively used in landscape design. In botany, there are more than 15 species of this plant, each of which has its own unique properties. Plants of this species are unpretentious in care, easy to shape and trim, which allows the plant to be grown everywhere. It is important to familiarize yourself with the main maintenance rules, and then Chinese juniper will be able to delight owners with its rich color and healing aroma all year round.

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