Chinese juniper: Spartan, Variegata, Blauv, Blue Hevan

In botany, there are more than 70 species of juniper, one of which is Chinese juniper. The plant is actively grown in Our Country and used in the field of landscape design. Classification of the most popular varieties with a photo of Chinese juniper will help in choosing the right option for growing.

Description of Chinese juniper 

Chinese juniper is a member of the Cypress family, the place of origin of which is China, Japan, Manchuria and North Korea. The culture 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-motley.

The shrub got its name in honor of its habitat, and the cultivation of Chinese juniper in Europe began around the beginning of the 1850th century. In the XNUMXs, the first sprouts 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 the 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 ˚С), however, young seedlings need shelter for the winter. 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 various diseases. The level of air pollution does not play an important role in the development of juniper: the tree can endure 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 belt. 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 manufacture of anti-inflammatory drugs in folk medicine for external use. Preparations from juniper needles help fight skin diseases, sciatica and polyarthritis, and relieve rheumatic pains. The roots of the plant are also endowed with healing properties: they are used to treat diseases of the respiratory system, including tuberculosis, and Chinese juniper branches help to cope with allergies.

Chinese juniper in landscape design

Often, gardeners use Chinese juniper for decorative tasks: creating landscape compositions or in the field of gardening. The plant adapts well to shearing and shaping, which allows the bushes to be given various designer shapes. Chinese juniper is actively used in the creation of coniferous and mixed mixborders, as well as in addition to other landscape compositions (rockeries 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 plantations can release more than 30 kg of phytoncides into the environment. This number of antiseptics is enough to disinfect the air of one large city. Several seedlings of the plant will be an excellent option for planting in a summer cottage.

Varieties of Chinese juniper

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

Juniper Chinese Spartan

Juniper Chinese Spartan (Spartan) is a tree with a cone-shaped crown and a fast 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 greatest height of the tree is 5 m with a crown diameter of 2,5 m. The shoots on the juniper are vertical, and the growth rate of branches per year reaches 15 cm in length. The plant has dense needle-shaped needles of a light green color.

Variety Spartan is often planted on moderately moist soils. Ephedra has a high level of frost resistance, undemanding to the soil composition and photophilous. In addition to creating hedges, gardeners recommend including a tree in group compositions, combining them with undersized species.

Juniper Expansa Variegata

Juniper Chinese Expansa Variegata (Expansa Variegata) is a dwarf shrub, the maximum dimensions of which are 40 cm in height and 1,5 m in width. The shoots of the plant creep down the ground, forming a bright green needle 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 the sections of its needles are painted in 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 strongly not recommended to grow the Expansa Variegata variety at home – the plant prefers to creep along the ground, so a small summer cottage will be the best place for its cultivation.

Juniper Blauve

Juniper Chinese Blauw (Blauw) is an evergreen, slow-growing shrub with crown-shaped needles. On the territory of Europe, the plant appeared in the 20s of the twentieth century, when the first shrub seedlings were brought from Japan. Traditionally, the Blauve variety has been used to decorate Japanese gardens, as well as an element of ikebana. Its distinctive characteristics are straight shoots growing strictly upwards, which gives the shrub a characteristic shape. In the classical description, the maximum height of the Chinese blue juniper is 2,5 m with a crown diameter of 2 m, however, these figures may vary: it all depends on the level of moisture and soil fertility. The plant has scaly needles of a gray-blue color. Ephedra is undemanding to the soil, it grows and develops especially well on soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction, as well as in alkaline soil. Great for planting on city streets, since the level of air pollution has practically no effect on the condition of the plant. The only enemy of the Blauv 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 one of the most intensely colored shrub species. Juniper Chinese Blue Haven is characterized by a conical, dense crown of sky-blue color that persists throughout the year. Landscape designers often use this variety to create hedges, as well as a vertical element in garden composition. The needles of the plant have a wide conical shape with raised cylindrical shoots. At maturity, the Blue Haven variety reaches 5 m in height and more than 2 m in width. The culture has a high level of winter hardiness, prefers sunny or slightly shaded areas. The plant is not recommended to be planted in the shade so that its needles do not become lethargic and loose. The Blue Heaven variety is undemanding to the soil, it develops well on any drained soil, regardless of the level of its fertility. Designers use this type of Chinese juniper as a vertical element in the creation of rock gardens and contrasting landscape compositions.

Juniper Chinese Plumosa Aurea

Juniper Chinese Plumosa Aureya is especially valued by landscape designers for the rich yellow color of the 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 pinnate 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 species is often used to create group or single plantings, for landscaping an alpine hill, rockery, and also for a rocky slope.

Juniper Monarch

Variety description: Juniper Chinese Monarch is a tall monochromatic tree with an irregularly columnar 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. Variety Monarch has prickly needles, painted in a bluish-green color, 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 to planting soil and watering, but does not tolerate drafts: they can provoke the appearance of various diseases and the death of the conifer. For this variety of Chinese juniper, only sanitary pruning is needed: there is no need to constantly trim the growing shoots.

Juniper Obelisk

According to the description, the juniper Obelisk is a tall tree with an irregular crown shape, which smoothly changes from narrow-conical to wide. At the age of 10 years, the height of the plant is 3 m. The variety has stiff awl-shaped needles covered with a blue bloom. Ephedra is undemanding to soil and watering, it grows best in sunny places, but, at that time, it becomes dry and loose in shaded areas. 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 more than 1/3 of the growth.

The culture does not require shelter for the winter periods, however, in late autumn, the branches of the plant should be tied together to prevent crown injury due to the severity of snow cover.

Juniper Kaizuka

Juniper Chinese Kaizuka (Kaizuka) is an evergreen coniferous plant with an unusual color of needles that changes color from green to dark blue. At the ends of the branches are saturated beige spots. The branches of the plant are located horizontally, parallel to the ground. The crown has an irregular shape, with shoots differing from each other 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 needles of the plant 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 chernozem is considered the best soil for planting it. Often, designers call this variety “apple juniper”, because the beige spots on the body of the plant really resemble these fruits. The tree’s short height allows Kaizuka Juniper to be used to create low to medium hedges. The plant will serve as an excellent decoration for both single flower beds and complex compositions.

Juniper Chinese Keteleri

Juniper Chinese Keteleri (Keteleeri) is a fast-growing tall conifer, reaching over 5 m in height in adulthood. The plant is characterized by an upright, dense, columnar crown with vertically arranged branches and a special coniferous aroma. The juniper variety Keteleri has scaly needles pointed at the ends of a bright green color with a bluish wax coating.

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

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

Juniper Chinese Expansa Aureospicata

Juniper Chinese Expansa Aureospicata (Expansa Aureospicata) is a low-growing, slow-growing dwarf shrub with a wide spreading crown and shoots horizontally creeping 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. Juniper Chinese Expansa Aureospicata will be a good addition to the design of rocky gardens and Oriental-style gardens.

Juniper chinensis Pfitzeriana

Juniper Chinese Pfitzeriana 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. At a young age, the shoots are painted in a golden yellow color, which becomes bright green over the years.

The variety is actively used in landscape design to create bonsai and decorate rocky walls.

Juniper Chinese Blue and Gold

Juniper Chinese 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 shrub is sprawling, with an irregular shape. Ephedra is endowed with bright phytoncidal, insecticidal and bactericidal properties.

It is undemanding to soil and humidity, develops better in lighted 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 small areas as well as for large garden and park contrasting compositions that can decorate city lawns.

Juniper Chinese Gold Coast

Juniper Chinese Gold Coast is an evergreen fast-growing conifer with a dense spreading crown of a 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 lowered ends have a bright yellow color, which darkens with time and acquires a golden hue. The fruits of the plant are represented by small cones of a rounded shape. The shrub is undemanding to the soil, prefers illuminated areas: in shaded places it develops much worse, losing its color. The plant is resistant to severe frost, dry periods and active spring sun.

Chinese Juniper Dabs Frosted

Juniper Chinese Dabs Frosted is a slow-growing cushion shrub with a spreading crown. It is considered one of the most valuable varieties of undersized 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 needle color, which eventually changes to dark green. Variety Dubs Frosted is a light-loving plant, which, however, feels quite comfortable in a semi-shaded area. When planting, it is best to give preference to moist, well-drained soil. Ephedra needs regular watering. It is actively used by designers to create both complex garden compositions and for single plantings.

Juniper Chinese Torulosa Variegata

Juniper Chinese varieties Torulosa Variegata is distinguished by a conical dense picturesque crown of irregular shape. The branches of the plant are in a raised state, evenly spaced. Shoots are straight, short. The shrub has prickly blue-green needles, often shoots of a white-motley shade can be traced 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, the annual growth is up to 10 cm. It is unpretentious to the ground, has a high level of frost resistance, grows better in sunny areas, loses its rich color in the shade . The variety of Chinese juniper Torulosa Variegata will perfectly complement the design of a rocky garden or rock gardens.

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.

Rules of landing

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

The optimal place for planting cuttings is sunny areas: in a shaded area, the plant gradually begins to lose its decorative properties, 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 shape need a larger area for development – 1,5 – 2 m. The planting depth of the shrub is 70 cm When planting to the root one, you need to add some soil, and if necessary, create drainage from broken bricks and sand with a layer of up to 20 cm. . It is best to buy seedlings with a closed root system. A plant with open roots requires more effort to care for, as well as a 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. Open roots also need additional treatment with special root stimulants.

Seedlings in containers have a higher level of viability and are subject to planting in a permanent place at any time of the year. Chinese juniper is mostly undemanding to the level of soil fertility.

The optimal composition of the soil for the plant includes:

• 2 parts of peat;
• 1 part of sod land and sand.

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

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

Watering and top dressing

Young shrub seedlings need regular watering. After rooting, watering of plants is reduced to 4 times a 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 only after sunset or before sunrise.

Mulching and loosening

Loosening the soil should be a mandatory procedure immediately after watering. The soil is fertilized only once: every season, at the beginning of June, nitroammophoska must be applied to the soil in a ratio of 30-40 g per 1 m².

Chinese juniper pruning 

Most varieties of Chinese juniper are characterized by a slow growth rate, so frequent pruning of shrubs is not necessary. It is only important to ensure that dried or diseased branches do not appear on the plant: they should be removed immediately.

Preparation for winter

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

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

Reproduction of Chinese juniper

Reproduction of Chinese juniper can take place in several ways.

The first and most common option is propagation by cuttings. Material for planting is prepared in February: for this, young, but already bark-covered shoots of the plant 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. After immersing the planting material in the ground to a depth of 2 – 3 cm. Place the container with seedlings on a well-lit area, having previously covered it with a protective film. Cuttings should be regularly watered and sprayed, and after 1 – 3 years they should be planted in open ground.

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

The third and most time-consuming way to propagate Chinese juniper is with the help of seeds. This option allows you to get the largest number of young and absolutely healthy plant bushes. Black-coated cones are used with seeds already ripe inside.

Seeds must be stratified before planting. With this method of reproduction 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 material for planting must be kept at a temperature of 25 – 30 ° C, and for the next four months – at a temperature of 14 – 15 ° C. In the spring, the seeds of the plant are cleaned of the pericarp, and then scarified (hard covers are slightly broken).

Diseases and pests

The most common diseases of Chinese juniper are:

1. Rust. Symptoms of the disease are manifested by brownish growths with an orange coating. Rust provokes the death of individual parts of the shrub, and soon the final death of the plant. That is why, having discovered the first signs of the disease, you must immediately remove the diseased branches and treat the bush with a solution of Arceride.

   

2. drying branches. If the Chinese juniper turns yellow, the bark of the plant begins to dry out, and the needles crumble, you should immediately remove the diseased branches, secure the cuts with a 1% solution of copper sulfate, and then treat these places with a garden pitch. To prevent the disease in the spring or autumn, Chinese juniper should be treated with a 1% Bordeaux mixture or a special preparation (for example, Hom). If the disease recurs, treatment can be carried out in the summer.
3. Brown Shutte. 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 off, which is why the shrub loses its decorative qualities. The treatment of brown shutte is identical to the treatment for drying branches: it is necessary to immediately cut and burn the affected branches of the shrub and treat the juniper with special preparations.

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

Conclusion

Juniper Chinese 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 cut, which makes it possible to grow the plant everywhere. It is important to familiarize yourself with the main rules of keeping, and then the Chinese juniper will be able to delight the owners with its rich color and healing aroma all year round.

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