None of the conifers have such a large species diversity as that of juniper. This is an extremely versatile plant. Among its varieties, you can find small dwarfs clinging to the ground, and tall trees, spread out 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. Juniper horizontal 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 great, but in order for the plant to fit into a particular garden, you need to know how it will look when it grows, what shape it will take with age. Indeed, even juniper needles sometimes are not needle-like and change their color according to the seasons.
Guest from faraway America
In nature, horizontal juniper is found in eastern North America, mainly growing in countries such as Canada and the United States. Preferring to settle on the hillsides and sandy banks of rivers and lakes. It is also found in the mountains.
It is a creeping shrub that is pressed to the ground. Its height is rarely more than 1 meter. The branches are long, densely covered with tetrahedral shoots of a bluish-green color. Green needles with the onset of cold weather turn brown. Small cones have a bluish-black color with a blue coating.
Favorite gardeners and landscape designers
The plant was cultivated in 1840. Juniper spread across the world through botanical gardens. Today, its popularity among amateur gardeners is gradually growing, especially in Russia. Bright decorative and unpretentiousness made juniper a welcome guest in our gardens and parks. The most famous varieties are:
- Address.
- Andorra Compact
- Wiltony.
- Glauka.
All varieties are ideal for landscaping small slopes, use in rock gardens, both in various compositions and alone.
Juniper Andorra compact
This variety is a dwarf shrub creeping on the ground. It has a dense pillow-shaped crown, reaching a height of 40 centimeters and a diameter of more than 1 meter. Branches from the center of the plant grow up obliquely. The needles are light green, scaly, small, in winter they acquire a purple tint. It grows very slowly. He loves light and sandy soil. It is quite resistant to frost. It is used on stony hills both in single and in group plantings.
Juniper horizontal Wiltoni
Shrub, which has a carpet-like shape, its height is only 10 centimeters. Crohn densely branched, grows very slowly. Small styloid 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.