Table of Contents
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 do you plant junipers?
Junipers are usually planted from nursery-grown containers, although larger specimens may be available as ball-and-burlap plants. 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 far apart do you plant juniper trees?
Space ground cover varieties at least 5 to 6 feet apart. Hedge cultivars should be spaced 2 to 4 feet apart depending on the desired appearance. Plant larger juniper cultivars away from buildings, allowing enough room for the tree to grow to its maximum mature width without interference.
Do juniper trees grow fast?
The growth rate of Junipers varies, but these plants tend to grow at a slow or moderate rate. Most shrub and groundcover junipers grow 4 to 8 inches per year. For creeping or spreading junipers this means growth by width and for other bushes it means height. The Blue Rug can grow up to 12 inches per year.
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.
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 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.
Does 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.
Can you plant juniper next to House?
Low-growing shrubs, like yew, juniper, boxwood, and holly, are good choices for foundation plantings. Shorter shrubs should have at least a 3-foot (. 91 m.) clearance between them and the house for optimum air circulation.
How do you plant juniper ground cover?
Try growing junipers near retaining walls or in rock gardens as ground cover. Prepare the soil and plant. Dig a small hole in the soil that is roughly twice the size of your juniper plant’s root ball. Carefully remove your creeping juniper from its pot and gently knead the root ball to prepare it for planting.
Are juniper trees messy?
Western juniper is an interesting, oddly attractive plant with tough, crooked, gnarly branches and loose, scaly, reddish-brown bark, especially as trees mature. Because of its weird nature, juniper doesn’t have many practical purposes, although it makes good, but messy, firewood.
Is juniper poisonous to dogs?
ANSWER: The University of California – Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.
How tall do juniper trees grow?
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.
What are juniper trees good for?
Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones.
What kind of soil do junipers like?
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.
How do you care for newly planted junipers?
Junipers need little to no pruning so that plants retain their natural form. In early spring, cut out any dead branches, trim back errant growth and lightly shape as needed. Keep up with light pruning as young plants grow to keep them compact and healthy.
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.
