Juniper

Info

Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. There are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere.

Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 30-60 feet tall, to columnar or low spreading shrubs. They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves. They can be either monoecious or dioecious.

Some junipers grow berries, while others do not. Some of these berries are used for spices in a variety of dishes and are popular for flavoring gin. Juniper berries have been used in flavoring other liquors and beers as well. The berries can create a sauce that is used with various meat dishes such as pheasant, quail, rabbit and venison. Juniper berries have medicinal properties that have been used by the Native American Indians as a female contraceptive. The berries have been used to treat urinary tract infections, and they can be combined with berberis to create a tea for diabetics.

Varieties

  • Blue Point

    Tall upright shrub grows narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. Dense branches of blue-green needles create a solid structure. Mature height can reach 12 to 15 foot. Prefers full sun.

  • Moonglow

    Dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright and columnar growth habit. Intense, silvery blue foliage stays year round. Moderate grower. Mature height can reach 10-15 feet. Prefers full sun.

  • Torulosa

    Upright, pyramidal tree that grows very irregular. Can reach 10-15 feet tall at maturity with a spread of 6-10 feet. Bright, emerald green foliage. Prefers full sun.

Care and Maintenance

  1. Preparing the Hole

    Dig the hole as deep as the root ball, and as much as three times as wide as the diameter of the root ball. Breaking up the soil around the tree provides the newly emerging roots room to grow into loose soil to hasten establishment.

  2. Placing Your Tree

    Place the tree carefully in the center of the hole after removing it from the container. The tree's root collar (the bulge right above the root system) should be just above the top of the soil. Don't dig the hole too deep. It is better if the root collar is slightly (1 to 2") higher than ground level because of possible setting.

  3. Filling the Hole

    Carefully fill the hole with soil when the tree is positioned and straight. Fill the hole about 1/3 full and lightly push the soil around the base of the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole taking care to gently but firmly pack soil to eliminate air pockets that may cause the roots to dry out. Don't plant the tree too deep. Back fill the soil to the height just below the root collar.

  4. Mulching

    Place 2 to 4 inches of mulch in a 2 to 3 foot circle around the tree. Keep the mulch from touching the trunk to keep fungus from growing on the trunk. Mulch can be aged wood chips or bark. Mulch helps keep roots moist and insulates them, and prevents weed growth. It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting.

  5. Watering

    Water the tree well as soon as you plant it. Water the tree at least once a week for the first year after planting. A slow, root-saturating, one-hour trickle once a week is recommended for a new tree. The watering schedule should be adjusted accordingly if it rains or is very dry.