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The evergreen juniper Wiltoni is a very picturesque dwarf shrub. Creeping forms always attract attention with their unusual characteristics. Wiltoni is used not only in landscaping projects for decorating plots, but also for practical purposes by gardeners. The unpretentiousness and beauty of juniper attract the attention of creative designers.
Description of juniper horizontal Wiltoni
It is believed that the birthplace of Wiltoni is an island called Vinal Naven Man. In 1914, the plant was discovered by J. Van Heinigen, a resident of South Wilton, Connecticut. The Latin name for juniper horizontal Wiltoni is Juniperus Horizontalis Wiltonii.
The plant is very original. Its height, like that of the main horizontal varieties, is no more than 20 cm, but the length of the branches reaches 2 m. This is an unusual characteristic for dwarf junipers.
The crown is creeping, very dense, carpet-like. The branches are arranged tightly, an adult plant is shaped like a carpet.
Another important advantage of Wiltoni is its fast growth. During the year, the branches grow by 15-20 cm, while maintaining excellent flexibility.
Juniper bark is not very decorative. It is grayish-brown in color, smooth, but slightly cracked into thin plates.
The needles are of a beautiful bluish-silver color, do not lag behind the branches, but adhere tightly to them. There may be hue changes from gray-green to blue-green during the summer months. In winter, they resemble purple plums. The needles are small, not more than 0,5 cm, subulate, located on the shoot very tightly. If rubbed with your hands, they exude a persistent aroma.
The branches are long tail-shaped, have abundant growth in the form of short branches of the second order. They grow slowly, spread on the ground in a star-shaped form, take root and intertwine with each other.
Forms cones of blue color. Diameter 0,5 cm, spherical, fleshy. The ripening period is about 2 years, however, when cultivated on the site, they may be absent.
The durability of juniper Wiltoni is from 30 to 50 years.
Juniper Wiltonii in landscape design
The culture is used to decorate alpine slides or in the form of a juniper lawn. It goes well with stones of various shapes and sizes when creating rockeries or zoning. Wiltoni is combined with accent species – vertical junipers, brightly deciduous or flowering shrubs, perennials.
It looks both in single landings and in group. Several Wiltoni junipers planted side by side create the feeling of a dense array. Often, gardeners prefer to plant Wiltoni juniper on a trunk, which gives a very original look to the composition.
The variety is ideal in the form of a ground cover. Well covers the ground, prevents the growth of weeds. Used like:
- stone garden element;
- terrace decoration;
- landscaper of roofs, tubs and pots.
The photo shows an example of landscaping a site with the help of horizontal juniper Wiltoni.
Planting and caring for juniper Wiltoni
A dwarf variety should be planted immediately in a permanent place – the plant is difficult to tolerate a transplant. Be sure to consider the size of an adult plant. Wiltoni grows well, he needs to leave enough space. Although some gardeners prefer to prune branches regularly. The result is a lush undersized plate. Juniper horizontal Wiltoni is undemanding for care, but you need to know some of the nuances of growing.
Seedling and planting preparation
Wiltoni grows best on sandy or loamy soils. The reaction of the soil should be slightly acidic or neutral. The species grows well on soils with sufficient lime content.
Beginning gardeners are advised to purchase container plants from garden nurseries.
Rules of landing
When landing Wiltoni, you should follow the recommendations:
- The composition of the soil mixture should be from soddy soil, sand and peat (1:2:1). Peat is completely replaceable with humus in the same ratio.
- Prepare planting pits at a distance of 0,5-2 m, the size of which is 2-3 times the volume of the earthen coma. The depth of the pit is 70 cm.
- Lay a drainage layer 20 cm thick on the bottom. Broken brick, gravel, crushed stone, sand will do.
- Pour a small layer of soil mixture, install a juniper seedling. If the plant is in a container, transshipment is done, trying not to destroy the earthen clod.Important! The root collar must not be buried.
- Lightly tamp the ground, water the Wiltoni generously,
After planting, you can proceed to the stages of juniper care. According to reviews, the horizontal juniper variety Wiltoni belongs to undemanding plants.
Watering and top dressing
The main attention will need to be paid in the first time after planting the Wiltoni juniper. The earth should not dry out, but stagnant water is also not allowed. During the period of active growth of juniper, the watering schedule should be strictly adhered to. In dry months, moisten the soil at least once every 1 days. Watering is important, but Wiltoni is much more demanding on air humidity. Therefore, sprinkling should be carried out regularly for the crown.
Top dressing for creeping species is introduced in early spring, always adhering to dosages. For 1 sq. m enough 35-40 g of nitroammophoska.
As a result of an excessive increase in the nutritional value of the soil, the prostrate shape of the crown is lost.
Mulching and loosening
Loosening should not be done deep and carefully, especially for young plants. It is more expedient to loosen the near-stem circle of Wiltoni after watering.
It is recommended to mulch the soil with peat, humus, straw or sawdust.
Trimming and shaping
Periodically, horizontal junipers need pruning. When sanitary, dry and damaged branches are removed. If a formation is made, then all shoots that grow incorrectly are subject to removal. It is important to create a voluminous crown of Wiltonii, then the juniper takes on a very beautiful look.
The needles contain toxic substances, so pruning is recommended to be done with gloves.
Preparation for winter
Young plants, especially in the first year, need to be covered for the winter. Suitable spunbond, burlap, spruce branches. As the “growing up” frost resistance of juniper Wiltoni horizontal increases. Mature bushes winter well without shelter. Wiltonii can withstand temperatures as low as -31°C. The main thing is that the plant does not winter under a snowdrift. In adult bushes, it is advisable to collect and tie branches for the winter. And in the spring, cover the juniper from the sun’s rays so that the delicate needles do not suffer.
Reproduction of horizontal juniper Wiltonii
The species propagates with the help of semi-lignified cuttings or layering. If Wiltoni is propagated by seeds, then varietal characteristics will be lost. Harvest cuttings from late April to mid-May. To do this, choose a bush at the age of 8-10 years and cut off the stalk with a “heel”. The length of the chubuchka is 10-12 cm. Before planting, place the future juniper seedling in a growth stimulator solution. Plant in seedlings, cover with foil. Periodically spray the ground, provide diffused light, temperature + 24-27 ° С. After 1-1,5 months, the material will take root and it can be planted in open ground.
Diseases and pests of creeping juniper Wiltoni
The main danger for the horizontal view is gray mold and fungal rust. You can prevent the spread by strictly observing the distance between the planted bushes. The second condition is that juniper must be planted away from fruit trees. In the spring, treat with copper-containing preparations.
Dangerous pests – scale insects, spider mites, shoot moths. In the event of the appearance of parasites, treatment with chemicals is necessary (according to the instructions).
Conclusion
Juniper Wiltoni is an original species of creeping conifers. With its help, you can decorate an inharmonious zone, create a delicate and delicate lawn. The main advantage of the shrub is unpretentiousness and the ability to develop well in urban conditions.
Reviews of juniper Wiltoni
