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Planting Juniper – Like any other shrub or tree, dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball. Mix in some rich compost. Remove the rooted plant from the container. Set it into the hole, and carefully loosen and spread the outer roots a little.
When should you plant junipers?
Plant container-grown junipers any time of year. Shrubs with balled and burlaped roots are best planted in fall. Dig the planting hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times wider. Set the shrub in the hole so the soil line on the stem is even with the surrounding soil.
How deep should you plant a juniper tree?
Dig a hole roughly 1.5 times the width and the same depth as the pot. Gently remove the plant from its pot. Check the outside and bottom of the root ball for circling roots.
How long does it take for a juniper tree to grow?
This slow-growing plant takes up to 50 years to reach maturity, which means it can be used in a large container for many years before it must go in ground. The juniper “Skyrocket” is probably the narrowest juniper variety available. The foliage is bluish green, scale-like, and aromatic when crushed.
How do you plant an upright juniper?
Juniper trees prefer as much sun as you can give them. At least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and not much deeper than the root ball of the plant. The wider the hole the better.
Do junipers need a lot of water?
Watering. Evergreen junipers are extremely drought tolerant and prefer their soil on the dry side. Junipers need weekly watering for the first summer to develop an extensive root system. After the first summer, most junipers can rely on natural rainfall and fog for moisture.
How long does it take for juniper to spread?
Creeping junipers usually expand their width by one to two feet each year.
Are junipers easy to grow?
Juniper is low maintenance and easy to grow. The plants need full sun and a well drained soil. These drought tolerant plants do not like wet soil. They can suffer, if over watered.
How do you keep junipers healthy?
Junipers need air flow to avoid fungal disorders, so cleaning up around the shrubs and pruning out any dead wood is important. It is also important to keep branches dry during warmer weather, so avoid overhead water or watering too often during the summer.
How do you water a juniper tree?
Juniper trees are drought tolerant and prefer to dry out a little in between being watered. Be sure to plant them somewhere with well-draining soil. During the first couple years of growth, your juniper may need to be watered during periods of low rainfall.
How often do you water a juniper tree?
You should plan to water it every two to three days. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. Usually you can tell when it needs watering by the color and feel of the soil surface. The soil color lightens as it drys and the surface feels dry to the touch when it needs watering.
Can junipers grow in pots?
Junipers (Juniperis spp.) are slow-growing evergreens that thrive in containers with conservative pruning. Trees in containers have several advantages. They fit in small spaces and can decorate areas, such as patios, where trees can’t be planted.
How tall do juniper trees get?
Juniper genus name Juniperus plant type Shrub height 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet 8 to 20 feet 20 feet or more width Up to 20 feet, depending on variety foliage color Blue/Green Gray/Silver.
How do you fertilize junipers?
Fertilize the juniper annually in early spring with a complete, slow-release fertilizer with a formulation such as 12-4-8 or 16-4-8. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the juniper at a rate of 1/2 pound per 100 square feet just before it rains or water it thoroughly after applying the fertilizer.
Do junipers have deep roots?
Junipers are well adapted to dry soil conditions. They usually have a very deep taproot to take up water from deep in the soil, as well as a mat of fibrous roots closer to the soil’s surface to capture rain water.
What type of soil do junipers prefer?
Junipers prefer open, sunny locations in well-drained soils. They will tolerate a wide range of pH levels. They are very tolerant of dry, clay soils and many varieties will grow in sand. Some types, such as Sargent juniper and Shore juniper have shown good salt tolerance.
Will juniper grow in shade?
Common juniper (Juniperus communis) and single seed juniper (Juniperus squamata) can tolerate partial shade even in cool-summer areas, but should never be planted in dense shade. Common juniper grows in USDA zones 4 through 8. “Green Carpet” is the traditional ground cover variety.
Can you overwater a juniper?
Junipers may suffer from overwatering; branches might even die and turn brown. If drought is severe, a deep watering of about 1 inch will help plants retain their healthy green growth, but water should never stand under their low-growing branches.
Why is my juniper dying?
There are many reasons a juniper might turn brown. Fungal tip blights, cankers, mechanical damage, and salt injury are some of the most common causes. Several juniper samples with tip blight were submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic this spring. Phomopsis and Kabatina tip blights are two common diseases of juniper.
