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Juniper has become an integral part of many gardens. There are numerous species that are valued for their different growth forms. Some stay low and make good ground cover, while tall shrubs are popular for privacy hedges.
Creeping juniper (left) and scaly juniper (right) are popular juniper species for the garden
Look
Juniper species grow as shrubs or trees. They are all evergreen and develop scaly to needle-shaped leaves. Low species grow to a few meters in height. They mainly develop creeping to ascending shoots. Large shrubs and trees grow upright and reach heights of over ten meters. The largest juniper grows in Turkey. It is a Syrian juniper with a height of 40 meters.
Peculiarities of juniper:
- aromatic wood
- berry-like fruits that represent cones in the botanical sense
- it usually takes one to three years for the fruit to ripen
Habitats and Occurrences
Juniperus species are considered to be very adaptable, which makes them popular ornamental trees. Their range extends from the subarctic tundra to the semi-deserts. Almost all junipers have adapted to drought. They are found in moderately dry regions of the western United States and northern Mexico. Other species grow in Asia, where they dominate the forests. Juniperus communis is the most widespread species within the conifers. It is one of the few species of the genus native to Germany.
Typical habitats:
- open heathlands
- sandy and gravelly soils
- steppes and semi-deserts
Popular species and varieties
In addition to the common juniper (Juniperus communis), the Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is the most popular ornamental tree from the genus. While the wild form is preferably used for bonsai design, various varieties adorn sunny areas in gardens. The varieties 'Obelisk', 'Aurea', 'Pfitzeriana' or 'Variegata' are popular. The scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata) convinces as an ornamental tree with a structured shape. The branches come straight from the trunk or grow slightly upwards.
Also popular is the species Juniperus sabina, which is known as the sallow tree or stink juniper. The shrub is easily confused with the common juniper but grows shorter with creeping to upright shoots. The Rocky Mountain juniper comes from western North America and is often planted as a solitary tree because of its predominantly single-stemmed growth habit.