No other conifer has such a large species diversity as juniper. This is an extremely versatile plant. Among its varieties, one can find small dwarfs clinging to the ground, and tall trees spreading fluffy branches. The color of the needles can also be very different - from ordinary green to unusual gray, blue or yellow. Therefore, it is not surprising that the plant is widely used in the design of parks and gardens. Horizontal juniper is especially popular.
Garden decoration
Currently, about 30 species of this wonderful plant are grown in Russia. You can purchase 150 decorative forms of various types of juniper. So the choice is large, but in order for a plant to fit a particular garden, you need to know how it will look,when it grows up, what shape it will acquire with age. After all, even juniper needles are sometimes not needle-like and change their color according to the seasons.
Guest from distant America
In nature, horizontal juniper is found in the eastern part of North America, mainly growing in countries such as Canada and the United States. Preferring to settle on hillsides and sandy banks of rivers and lakes. Also found in the mountains.
It is a creeping shrub that clings to the ground. Its height is rarely more than 1 meter. The branches are long, densely covered with tetrahedral bluish-green shoots. Green needles turn brown with the onset of cold weather. The small buds are bluish black with a blue tinge.
A favorite of gardeners and landscape designers
Cultivated plant in 1840. Horizontal juniper spread throughout the world through botanical gardens. Nowadays, its popularity among amateur gardeners is gradually growing, especially in Russia. Bright decorativeness and unpretentiousness made juniper a welcome guest in our gardens and parks. The most famous varieties are:
- Adpress.
- Andorra Compact
- Wiltoni.
- Glauka.
All varieties are ideal for landscaping small slopes, use in rock gardens, both in various compositions and alone.
Juniper Andorra compact
This variety isdwarf shrub creeping along the ground. It has a dense cushion-shaped crown, reaching a height of 40 centimeters and a diameter of more than 1 meter. Branches from the center of the plant grow upward obliquely. The needles are light green in color, scaly, small, in winter it acquires a purple tint. Grows very slowly. Likes light and sandy soils. Fairly frost resistant. Used on rocky slides in both single and group plantings.
Juniper horizontal Wiltoni
A shrub that has a carpet-like shape, its height is only 10 centimeters. The crown is densely branched, grows very slowly. Small awl-shaped needles have a silver-blue color. Small growth and wonderful color made this horizontal juniper a real favorite of Russian gardeners. Experts recommend using it for landscaping roofs, rocky gardens, planting in large groups.
