Chinese Juniper - Juniper Chinesis

Tough trees found naturally in the mountains of Japan. These trees adopt gnarled and twisted trunks and branches with large areas of "deadwood" - Jins and Sharis.

The outer bark can be peeled away to reveal a smooth orange-red under-bark which contrasts brilliantly with the rich green foliage and the silvery-white jins and sharis.

Position

Junipers do well in full sun, producing neat, compact foliage. If placed in semi-shade, the growth will be slower to start in spring but the colour will be richer.

There is no need to protect your juniper from frost. Cold wind may cause the foliage to turn bronze but will again turn green in spring.

Repotting

Every two to five years in mid-spring.

Pruning

Prune branches and old shoots in late summer when the sap is not rising too fast and "bleeding" is less of a problem.

Pinching

Pinch out all the growing tips with your fingers to keep a neat silhouette. Fast growing extension shoots should be cut back as far as possible to a healthy side shoot or removed. Clear foliage from the underside of the branches.

Watering

Water well during the growing season. Keep moist in winter. Junipers can tolerate drought conditions and consume large amounts of water especially in winter.

Feeding

Use liquid feed every two weeks during growing season. You some slow release fertiliser during the winter months to strengthen spring growth.