Common juniper (Veres)

Juniperus communis L.

Juniper — evergreen shrub cypress family (Cupressaceae). Distributed in the northern and middle parts of European territory. Grows in the undergrowth of coniferous and mixed forests. All parts of juniper contain essential oil. In addition to essential oil, the berries contain sugar, bitter glycoside, and resinous substances. The bark contains tannins. The needles are rich in ascorbic acid.

Cypress family - CUPRESSACEAE

Description. Evergreen coniferous, dioecious, less often monoecious shrub 1-3 m high (or a tree with a branched trunk 8-12 m high). Trunk with brown bark, highly branched; the leaves-needles are linear-subulate, grooved above, keeled below, arranged in whorls of three. The flowers are dioecious; men's - in earrings, women's - in green spherical cones. Blooms in May; The cone berries ripen in the fall of next year.

Organs used: cone berries.

Chemical composition . Cone berries (from 0.5 to 2%), stems (0.25%) and needles (up to 0.18%) contain essential oil, which includes d - α-pinene, camphene, α-terpinene, α -phellandrene, terpinolene, dipentene, sabinene, terpineol, cadinene, β-elemene, unenol, uniper-camphor, cidrol, etc. In addition, the fruits contain sugars (up to 40%), resin (about 9.5%), coloring the substance “uniperin”, fatty oil, as well as malic, formic and acetic acids. Tannins (up to 8%) and essential oil (0.5%) were found in the bark; about 266 mg% of ascorbic acid was found in the needles. Diterpene alcohols have been isolated from wood: ferruginol (0.1%) C20H30O and suchiol C20H28O2.

Pharmacological properties and application. Infusion juniper fruit used as an expectorant, diuretic and urinary tract disinfectant. By irritating the mucous membranes, it enhances the secretion of the glands and thereby improves digestion. At the same time, the secretion of the bronchial glands increases, due to which the sputum thins and expectoration becomes easier. Excreted mainly through the kidneys, the essential oil causes moderate irritation, as a result of which it has a diuretic effect. However, with long-term use, juniper preparations can irritate the kidney parenchyma. Therefore, they are contraindicated in inflammatory kidney diseases (nephritis, pyelonephritis).

There are indications that juniper berries slightly increase milk secretion in women who are breastfeeding. The essential oil of the plant is used for rubbing as an analgesic and a distraction for rheumatic pain in the form of an alcohol solution (Spiritus juniperi) or as an ointment (unguentum juniperum).

Juniper berries an old remedy, widely used both in folk medicine, and in medical practice in many countries of the world. Due to their diuretic properties, they are effective especially in combination with potassium acetate for edema and kidney diseases. They are used as a disinfectant for diseases urinary tract(A.D. Turova, 1974).

In scientific medicine Juniper berries are used for medicinal purposes. They have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, disinfectant, antispasmodic effects. Used for edema, cystitis, pyelonephritis.

Infusion and decoction of juniper has a choleretic effect, improves appetite, and enhances intestinal motility. They are used for diseases of the gallbladder and stomach.

Essential oil is used in complex therapy of skin cancer in combination with radiation therapy. Externally used for rheumatism in the form of an alcohol tincture or ointment.

In folk medicine, a decoction of branches is used as an antiscorbutic remedy. An infusion of berries is used for dropsy, malaria, scrofula, nervous and female diseases.

Decoction of branches and roots used for sexual weakness, kidney stones, gout. It is believed that fresh berries are more effective than decoctions and infusions. Start taking berries with 4 pieces per day and increase to 13 pieces.

An infusion of 10 g of crushed berries in a glass of boiling water is used in a tablespoon 3-4 times a day (Zhukov, 1983).

Coneberries used for leucorrhoea. Oil from the berries is used as a rub for paralysis of the limbs and neuralgia.

An alcoholic tincture of the roots helps with tuberculosis, bronchitis, and skin diseases. Juniper produces phytoncides. Its branches are used for fumigation of rooms where infectious patients were located (Surina, 1974).

In homeopathy, essence is prepared from fresh and ripe fruits.

In folk medicine, juniper used for inflammation of the appendages, absence of menstruation, diseases of the kidneys, liver, bladder, scurvy, abdominal pain (Popov, 1973).

Essential oil and herbal preparations of juniper fruits increase bile formation and bile secretion, enhance filtration in the kidneys, secretion of gastric juice, and secretion of bronchial glands.

Used for renal failure and circulatory disorders (Sokolov, 1984). The fruits are included in the collection for the preparation of M.I. Zdrenko.

A powder of juniper berries with honey is used to heal wet, non-drying eczema.

The fruits are boiled in sesame oil in an iron pot until they turn black and then used to lubricate the inner ear, which helps improve hearing (Rabinovich, 1989).

Powdered berries are sniffed for headaches (Altymyshev, 1976).

Juniper needles was used as an antitussive and abortifacient (Kurentsova, 1941).

In Eastern Transbaikalia, pine needles and fruits are used for pneumonia, and in the form of baths for skin and gynecological diseases(Varlakov, 1932).

It is indicated that juniper berries slightly increase milk secretion (Tsarev, 1964).

An ointment for scabies is prepared from mashed berries (Shpilenya, 1989).

In Mongolia, juniper leaves and fruits are used for diseases of the liver and spleen. But especially effective means Juniper is considered for lower back pain, urinary retention and painful urination (Khaidov, 1985).

Hippocrates and Galen also advised taking on an empty stomach a handful of juniper berries for those who suffer from hemorrhoids, stomach disease, scurvy, and various bleedings. For coughs, colds, runny nose, and flu, they smoked powder made from the leaves, berries and wood of juniper.

For gonorrhea and syphilis, they took a decoction of 15 g of berries in 400 g of water and drank it throughout the day (Rabinovich, 1991).

For acute nephritis, gastric ulcer, acute gastritis and colitis, juniper is contraindicated (Pastushenkov, 1990).

Methods of preparation and use

1. Pour a teaspoon of juniper cones into a glass of boiling water, leave for 30-45 minutes, filter. Prescribed orally, 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day (diuretic).

2. Pour one tablespoon of cones into 2 cups of boiling water, boil for 20 minutes, filter. Prescribed orally, a tablespoon 3 times a day (expectorant, choleretic).

The plant is poisonous; ingestion requires caution.

Less commonly, a monoecious shrub 1-3 m high (or a tree with a branched trunk up to 12 m in height) is an ideological gully of the cypress family. The bark is gray or reddish-brown - excellent peeling - visible on trees - indestructible when reaching the age of 100-200 years, it cracks and peels off in ribbons. The branches are pressed upward or spaced apart. The leaves are needles 4-20 mm long, sessile, hard, linear, elongated into a prickly point, grooved with a white stripe on top, shiny green below, with a bluntly rounded keel. The needles change gradually, once every 4-5 years. Falling to the ground, it quickly mineralizes and forms a loose litter, beneficial for soil formation. Male spikelets are almost sessile, yellow, rounded-oblong, 2-4 mm long, with 2-3 whorls of bracts at the bottom, with 3-4 whorls of stamens at the top. Blooms in May. The flowers are dioecious. The female cones are numerous, oblong-ovate, up to 2 mm long, sitting singly in the leaf axils on very short stalks. After fertilization, their scales grow and form a fleshy coneberry. It tastes juicy, aromatic and sweet with a slight spicy aftertaste of resin. In the first year, the cone-berry is green, ovoid, in the second (when ripe) it is spherical, shiny, blue-black with a bluish waxy coating, 7-9 mm in diameter, with 1-3 seeds. The seeds are oblong-triangular, yellow-brown, convex on the outside and flat on the adjacent sides, 4-5 mm long. Male and female inflorescences are located in the leaf axils.

In total, about 60 species of juniper are known. It lives up to 600 years, but grows very slowly, 10-15 centimeters per year. Juniper, growing in the mountains of Central Asia, is called juniper. In the harsh conditions of a sharp change in air temperature from plus 40 degrees in summer to minus 40 degrees in winter, juniper grows very slowly: in the first 50 years - up to 1.5 m. The fragrant air of juniper trees is healing for pulmonary patients. Juniper trees play a large role in the nature of mountainous regions. By holding soil and stones with their roots, they prevent mudflows (mud flows from the mountains) and mountain collapses. It is no coincidence that where juniper forests were cut down, catastrophic mudflows and avalanches sharply became more frequent.

Juniper is very light-loving, drought-resistant, and not afraid of frost.

Blank

Cone berries and juniper needles are used as medicinal raw materials. Cone berries are harvested in the fall from the end of August to the end of October during the period of full ripening, when they turn blue-black. They have a bountiful harvest every 3-4 years. When collecting cones, spread a cloth or paper under the tree and lightly shake the branches so that only ripe berries fall. Dry under a canopy or in an attic with good ventilation, but not in dryers and ovens, since such drying destroys biologically active substances. Store in a dry, ventilated area. Properly dried fruits have the correct rounded shape, black color and retain the delicate aroma of juniper.

Chemical composition

Essential oil, consisting mainly of cadinene, camphene, etc., is contained in all organs of the plant: in fruits -0.5-2%, in stems -0.25%, needles -0.18%, bark -0.5% . In addition, the fruits contain up to 40% invert sugar and about 9.5% resins. The bark contains up to 8% tannins; pine needles - 266 mg/% ascorbic acid.

Pharmacological properties

Juniper fruits have diuretic, choleretic, expectorant, disinfectant and digestive properties. The pleasant smell of juniper has a strong insecticidal (insect repellent) effect. It has been found that juniper volatiles kill up to 30% of airborne microorganisms.

Application in medicine

Used for edema as a diuretic, as well as for kidney and urinary tract diseases as a disinfectant, sometimes with potassium acetate. An infusion of berries is used for cardiac edema. lung diseases accompanied by copious purulent sputum, sluggishness of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating, cystitis and cholelithiasis. The infusion can be used for rinsing the mouth and throat and for inhalation of the upper respiratory tract, in the form of baths for rheumatism and gout. for skin diseases and peripheral diseases nervous system. A decoction of berries and branches is drunk in the absence of menstruation; a decoction of branches is used for diathesis. In folk medicine, juniper cones are used for women's diseases and fever.

An external remedy for scabies is prepared from mashed berries.

Essential oil from juniper is used for rubbing against rheumatism. paralysis, gout. neuralgia. polyarthritis, for the treatment of trichomonas colpitis.

The decoction is used to prepare baths and compresses used for rheumatic and gouty joints, as well as to strengthen hair and get rid of baldness,

In addition to the fruits, juniper branches also have medicinal properties. They ozone the air, destroy microbes, and help with joint diseases as baths. When burned, the air in the room is disinfected, since the smoke destroys all infectious bacteria.

Juniper releases 6 times more aromatic substances that kill bacteria than pine. In the places where it grows, the air is clean and healthy, almost sterile. One hectare of juniper forest can clean the air of a city like Moscow.

It is believed that the juniper branch drives away snakes and protects against their bites. Juniper seed heals those possessed by demons. The beauty of the juniper was also noted by the artist Ilya Repin, who planted an alley of juniper on his estate. still preserved.

The energy of juniper cleanses and nourishes at the same time. This is one of the few trees whose wood practically retains its energy even after being cut down. Juniper blocks can serve as a source of energy in every home. You can communicate with juniper at any time of the year and at any time of the day.

Medications

An infusion of fruits is prepared as follows: crush 10-12 berries, pour a glass of boiling water over them, leave for 4 hours. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day for bronchitis. colds, edema of cardiac origin, lethargy of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating and cholelithiasis; externally for rubbing for pain in joints and muscles.

Infusion of dried berries: pour 400 ml of chilled boiled water over 2 hours and 15 g of dried berries, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day before meals as a diuretic.

Berry decoction: brew 200 ml of boiling water for 15 g of berries and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Then remove from heat and leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day for bladder diseases and cholecystitis. colitis

Berry decoction: brew 400 ml of boiling water for 100 g of berries, boil for 10 minutes, then add sugar and cook until syrup consistency, then remove from heat and strain. Drink 1 tsp. 3 times a day before meals for diseases of the stomach, intestines, bladder, to improve appetite.

Decoction of juniper berries: pour 200 ml of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. dried ripe fruits, crushed to a homogeneous powder, boil over low heat for 5 minutes under the lid, leave for 0.5 hours, strain. Mix 40 ml of decoction with 1 tbsp. l. oatmeal or starch and apply to the skin of the face and neck for 20 minutes, then rinse the skin with warm water. This procedure has a tonic, multivitamin and antimicrobial effect on the skin.

Chew juniper berries daily on an empty stomach, one berry, adding 1 more each day. Increase intake to 15 pcs. then reduce the rate also by 1 piece. Recommended to improve the quality of blood.

Juniper berry lotion: pour 1 cup of boiling water over 4 tbsp. l. juniper berries, previously crushed in a coffee grinder, leave for 1 hour, strain. Mix with 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and 100 ml of 70% ethyl alcohol. Wipe the skin 1-2 times a day for 3-4 weeks for rosacea and juvenile acne. dandruff, hair loss, herpetic fever on the lips.

Juniper berry extract: grind 2 tbsp in a coffee grinder. l. berries, fill the level of the powder with vodka, leave for 14 days, squeeze and strain. Use 2-3 times a day if you have or are prone to herpes on the lips (herpetic fever).

Juniper extract can be prepared by infusing the berries with wine, vodka or alcohol.

Chopped juniper branches (200-300 g) pour into 10 l cold water for 2 hours, then boil over low heat for 20 minutes, strain into a bath (36-37 ° C). Take a bath before bed. The course of treatment is 10-12 procedures every other day. For itchy dermatoses. tendency to allergies and herpetic manifestations.

Contraindications

Juniper fruits are contraindicated for pregnant women with acute inflammatory kidney diseases - nephritis and nephrosonephritis, since they cause irritation of the kidney parenchyma; peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, acute gastritis and colitis. As a rule, they are not prescribed for a long period.

Use on the farm

Juniper branches are placed in barrels with sauerkraut and with pickles. Juniper eliminates all unpleasant odors formed during fermentation and gives pickles a pleasant fresh aroma.

A bath with juniper helps clear throat, especially for heavy smokers.

Juniper berries are used to make the famous juniper vodka - gin.

Since ancient times, juniper berries have been used as a seasoning for roast game, as they fight off unpleasant odors. To do this, you first need to prepare a special juniper brine. Dried cones are crushed and brewed with boiling water along with other fragrant spices - for example, mint. When brewing, it is better to place the spices in a cloth bag. The broth is cooled and added to the vinegar marinade, where the game meat is marinated for several hours along with onions or garlic.

Beautiful and fragrant juniper wood is used for a variety of crafts and plywood production.

A little history

The belief in the protective power of juniper was so strong that clouds of its smoke were sent after departing enemies (so that they would not return), and branches were used to drive livestock out to pasture (to protect them from disease). The connection between the number and juniper also seemed mysterious (seeds in cones, needles in bunches, collected in groups of three).

Places of growth

Juniper grows on sandy soils, limestone, dry hills, in spruce forests where the soil is sufficiently moist, and is also common in the undergrowth of dry pine forests and mixed forests in the European part of Russia, in the Urals, Siberia and the Caucasus.

The genus juniper is represented by small evergreen plants - trees (10-12 in height, less often up to 30 m), tall, low, and creeping ground cover shrubs. It is characteristic of the juniper genus that the needles of all young plants are needle-shaped, while those of adult plants different types can be either needle-shaped or scaly. Acicular spiny. Scaly, small, pressed to the shoots, opposite in pairs or, less commonly, in three-link whorls.

An extensive genus with over 70 species growing in the northern hemisphere.

Junipers are light-loving, drought-resistant, frost-resistant and undemanding to soil conditions. Their powerful roots, penetrating deep into the soil and extending underground in all directions for tens of meters, are capable of extracting water and nutrients from the poorest soils. Therefore, juniper grows on saline sands sea ​​coasts(coastal juniper) and in mountain deserts (Chinese juniper) on mossy swamps among the coniferous forests of the North (common juniper) and on calcareous soils in the mountains. Some species of junipers inhabit mountain slopes from their foot to the very top, climbing to a height of 4000 m, while others easily tolerate the harsh conditions of polar snow in the Arctic zone. Many junipers are characteristic inhabitants of rocky slopes and cliffs. Central Asian junipers growing in the mountains feel comfortable at temperatures from +40 to -30°C.

The most characteristic biological features of all junipers, in addition to their pronounced love of light and superficial occurrence of lateral roots, include extremely slow growth even in optimal living conditions. Junipers have an enviable longevity. Very often in the mountains you can find “honorary elders” with thick twisted trunks and ugly curved branches - trees aged 800-1000 years, which still produce growth and many cones with benign seeds.

Juniper is a plant that is also unique in that it produces 6 times more phytoncides than other conifers, and 15 times more than deciduous trees. Junipers have a unique property: they purify and heal the air. In the juniper forests it is very easy and free to breathe. Juniper has a purposeful healing effect on the body.

The juniper fruit is a juicy cone. This is the main one hallmark kind. It has a spherical or somewhat elongated shape and when ripe looks like a berry-like formation, which is commonly called a cone berry or even a juniper berry. The cones of some types of juniper ripen within three years from the moment of pollination. By the end of the first year they have reached their final size but are still green. By the end of the summer of the second year, they become soft, blue-black or dark burgundy with a bluish waxy coating. Depending on the type of juniper, a cone can contain from one to 12 seeds. Mature seeds are brown, hard, and easily separated from the resinous soft cone. Shedding of ripe cones begins at the end of summer and continues until late autumn. Until the seeds are freed from the pulp of the cones, they do not germinate, but remain viable for a long time. The bees feast on the pulp of the cones, piercing the skin, which contributes to their faster ripening.

Juniper fruits, berry-shaped cones, have medicinal properties, but edible and used for medicinal purposes, exclusively the fruits of the “common juniper”! Other types of juniper cones are considered mildly poisonous or poisonous, so it is better not to experiment with them.

Common juniper is the most common type, the fruits of the cone are fleshy, juicy, large, about 6-9 ml. Cone berries are consumed raw and dried; ripe cone berries are bluish-violet in color, with brownish-greenish pulp, with a tart, aromatic, spicy taste. When consuming juniper cones, the mouth and stomach are cleared of bacteria, digestion is improved, and blood composition is improved.

Dried berries are harvested in the fall, ripe purple-blue berries are collected and dried at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C, dried berries are used for medicinal purposes and have bactericidal and phytoncidal properties. They are used in cooking as spices and give dishes a specific aroma. From dried berries of the common juniper, tinctures, syrups, decoctions are made, tea is brewed; juniper tea is an excellent remedy for combating diseases of the upper respiratory tract and as an expectorant. Juniper tea: for one glass of boiling water, add a tablespoon of dried juniper berries, infuse for half an hour and take a third of a glass three times a day. If you use juniper berries for medicinal purposes, you should remember that they can only be used when the digestive system is normal, in case of aggravation of the stomach, liver, kidneys, in no case should you use juniper berries, because they can lead to bad consequences. Not only the berries, but also the rest of the juniper, twigs, needles, are medicinal and are used for medical purposes, but they are mildly poisonous or poisonous; you do not need to experiment on your own at home.

The main agents of juniper dispersal are different kinds animals. Both feathered and four-legged forest inhabitants hunt for the sweet, juicy, nutritious cones. Juniper seeds are covered with a durable and strong shell that protects the embryo. The swallowed family passes through the digestive tract unhindered, remaining intact and capable of germination.

Juniper needles are needle-shaped or scaly, covered with a thick layer of cuticle and a waxy coating. Young needle-shaped leaves of juniper remain on the plant for 8-10 years. Later they are replaced by shorter, equally needle-shaped or scaly leaves.

Junipers, as already noted, are generally light-loving, drought-resistant, undemanding to the soil, can easily withstand pruning, and are frost-resistant. They do not tolerate city conditions well, because their needles are shed only after 8-10 years, during which time a large amount of oxides and a greasy film are formed on them, which interferes with the normal functioning of plants.

They reproduce by seeds; stratification is necessary. You can also propagate with green cuttings taken with the heel, preferably from young plants. Creeping forms are easily propagated by layering.

Juniper is a very large and very diverse group of ornamental unpretentious evergreens coniferous plants. From creeping ground cover shrubs to quite tall trees. Very decorative in small groups, single plantings, used for fixing soil on slopes, mountains, and river banks.

Let's consider the most decorative types and varieties of juniper, photo description by growth and preference:

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper)

IN natural conditions grows in Northeast China, North Korea. Dioecious or monoecious low evergreen trees or shrubs, with a pyramidal or columnar crown shape, with ascending thin shoots. The needles of young shoots are needle-shaped, scaly, bluish-green on the upper branches. In female specimens, scaly needles predominate, in male specimens, needle-shaped ones. The cone berries are numerous, small, variable in shape and color, almost black, with a rich waxy coating, and ripen in the year of flowering. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Tolerates urban climate and emissions well harmful substances. Low demands on pH value, soil fertility and moisture. It is frost-resistant, but in the first years the tips of the shoots may freeze in young plants; frost resistance increases with age. Chinese juniper is successfully used in single and group plantings; when growing, it is advisable to use sprinkling, since Chinese juniper is responsive to air humidity.

Decorative garden varieties of Chinese juniper:

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Blaauw"

A slow-growing shrub with a funnel-shaped crown and strictly raised, rigid, feathery branches. The annual growth is 10 cm in height, 5 cm in width, at 10 years it reaches 1.5 m in height, an adult plant is about 2-2.5 m in height and 1.5 (2) m in width. The needles are scaly, thick, gray-blue. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. The soil and moisture requirements are low, and the pH value is undemanding. Resistant to air pollution. Recommended for little ones personal plots, Japanese gardens, rock gardens, for growing in containers. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Blue Alps"

A fast-growing, upright, bushy shrub or small tree with strong skeletal branches and slightly drooping shoot tips, often with a single straight trunk. The annual growth is 12-15 cm in height, at 10 years it reaches about 2 m in height, an adult plant is about 2.5-4 m in height and 2-3 m in width, you can find old specimens whose height is about 5- 6 m. height The needles are very decorative, bright green-silver-blue, very stiff, 1 cm long. Light-loving, does not like even slight shading, and loses its decorative effect in shaded areas. Prefers dry or fresh, moderately fertile soils, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for single plantings, garden compositions or container gardening. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Ekspansa Variegata"

Widely growing low-growing shrub, with some creeping shoots. Slow-growing, at 10 years it reaches 0.3 m in height with a diameter of 1.2 m. The needles are green-blue, shaped like needles or scales. Characteristic feature are areas of cream-colored shoots, randomly placed on the bushes. Photophilous, tolerates light partial shade. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows well on rocky and sandy dry soils. Recommended for small gardens, rocky and Japanese gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Iowa"

A shrub with a straight columnar crown, reaches about 1.5 m in height at the age of 10 years. The needles are needle-scaled, green with a slight bluish tint. The variety bears fruit abundantly. Photophilous, low soil and moisture requirements. Recommended for hedges and groups. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Kaizuka"

One of the most original juniper varieties with exotic appearance. The crown is not regular, wide, with protruding side shoots, but some specimens grow quite symmetrically - cone-shaped, with picturesquely protruding shoots, each bush with a unique, non-repeating crown. The growth is average, 10 year old specimens are about 1.5 meters in height, the width of each plant is varied, an adult plant is about 5-6 m in height. The needles are soft, scaly, rich light green. Average soil and moisture requirements. Quite low frost resistance, recommended for southern coastal areas. Particularly beautiful in single plantings, perfect for Japanese gardens. Winter hardiness zone 6A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Kuriwao Gold"

A strong growing wide shrub, at 10 years it reaches 1.5 m in height and 2 m in diameter. The needles are golden-green. Ascending shoots. Light-loving, undemanding to soil and moisture. Recommended for large gardens and parks. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Monarch"

A tall, fast-growing shrub with an asymmetrical columnar crown. At 10 years it reaches 1.5-2 m in height and 1.0-1.2 m in crown diameter. The needles are green-blue, prickly. Prefers open sunny places and is unpretentious to soil and moisture. Recommended for Japanese and heather gardens, for single and group plantings. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Obelisk"

Strongly growing shrub, annual growth is 22-25 cm, at first the crown has a narrow-conical shape, later it is wide-conical or pyramidal. The skeletal branches are numerous, erect, short, thin, and strongly branched. In young plants they go under very acute angle top, resulting in a narrow conical crown. With age, they recede at a less acute angle and the crown becomes broadly conical or pyramidal. At any age, the crown is correct, symmetrical, with a clear, beautiful silhouette. At 10 years it reaches up to 3 m in height and about 1.2-1.5 m in crown diameter. The needles are small, hard, needle-shaped, covered with a blue coating, young growths are bright grass-green, stand out in contrast against the background of old blue needles. The requirements for soil and moisture are low. Light-loving, tolerates slight shading; in shady places the saturation of the blue color is lost. It is recommended to plant in trellises and as part of different compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Plumosa"

Dwarf, wide, funnel-shaped, slow-growing variety. The annual increase in height and width is about 5-10 cm. At the age of 10 years it reaches about 1 m in height and about the same width, at 30-40 years it is 2-3 m in height and 3-4 m in width. Needles in the form of dark green scales with big amount needles, in the middle part of the bush. The branches are rigid, obliquely located, with slightly drooping ends. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Frost-resistant, low requirements for soil and moisture, grows on all moderately dry soils, fresh, from acidic to alkaline, resistant to industrial emissions. Recommended for rock gardens and small gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Plumosa Albovariegata"

A slow-growing funnel-shaped shrub derived from the variety "Plumosa". Reaching 0.8 m in height at the age of 10 years with a similar width. The needles are scaly, bluish-green. A characteristic feature is whitish-cream fragments of shoots, randomly located throughout the plant. Other characteristics and preferences are the same as for the variety "Plumosa". Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Plumosa Aurea"

A dwarf shrub form, reaching no more than 1 m in height and the same diameter at 10 years. The needles are bright golden-yellow, bronze-yellow in winter, scaly, the ends of the shoots slightly hanging. Other characteristics and preferences are the same as for the variety "Plumosa". This is one of the most beautiful yellow juniper varieties, recommended for small home gardens, rockeries and mixed compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Robusta Green"

A slow-growing variety with a narrow columnar crown, it reaches about 1.5 m in height at 10 years of age; an adult plant reaches up to 3 m in height and 0.5-0.6 in diameter. The shoots are slightly twisted, hard, densely covered with needles or scales, bluish-green. Frost-resistant, not demanding, light-loving. Recommended for small gardens, rock gardens, Japanese gardens, single plantings. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Spartan"

An upright, fast-growing variety of juniper, columnar in youth, wide-pyramidal with age. Reaching up to 3 m in height at 10 years. The needles are needle-shaped, juicy light green in color, the shoots are soft and arranged vertically. Photophilous, very frost-resistant, undemanding, grows on all dry or fresh, moderately nutrient-rich substrates, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for single plantings and garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Stricta"

Slow-growing, dense, conical variety of juniper, annual growth does not exceed 5-7 cm, reaching up to 2 m in height at the age of 10 years. The crown is dense, even, symmetrical, cone-shaped. The shoots are thin, short, dense, and grow vertically. The needles are needle-shaped, prickly, green-blue in color. It is photophilous, but it is better to plant in a place where during the hottest hours a light shadow falls on it; young shoots are prone to sunburn. Frost-resistant, low soil and moisture requirements. Recommended for rockeries, heather gardens, container gardening. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) "Variegata"

Shrub with a dense conical shape. Slowly growing, at the age of 10 years it reaches 2 m in height. The shoots are tough and short. The needles are prickly, green-bluish in color; a characteristic feature is protruding shoots with a white-variegated color. Sun-loving, low soil and moisture requirements. Recommended for home gardens and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 6A

Juniperus communis (common juniper)

Under natural conditions it grows throughout Northern and Central Europe, western Siberia, North America and North Africa. Grows mainly on moderately dry, moderately acidic, humus, loamy, clayey, sandy and peaty soils. In light forests, on rocky slopes, on dry sandy fields. Common juniper is a dioecious evergreen shrub or low tree with a bushy or columnar form, often multi-stemmed, some trees sometimes reach up to 15 m in height. The needles are needle-shaped, sharp, collected in whorls of 3. The cone berries are round, black and blue with a bluish coating. They ripen in the second and third years after flowering, so the plant simultaneously contains green and ripe berries. The fruits of the common juniper coneberry are non-poisonous or very slightly poisonous, edible, eaten raw and dried. Common juniper is one of the most common types of juniper in decorative garden landscaping. Frost-resistant, unpretentious to soil conditions and location, drought-resistant. Tolerates slight shade as an undergrowth (does not form seeds under the canopy of deciduous trees), develops better in an open place.

Ornamental garden varieties of common juniper:

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Arnold"

Narrow columnar, compact, slow-growing form. The annual growth is 5-6 cm in height, at 10 years it reaches no more than 1.5 m in height, the height of an adult plant is about 3 m and the crown diameter is 40-50 cm. The trunk is smooth, the shoots are vertical, short, tightly pressed to each other, the needles are bluish-green, prickly. Frost-resistant, low requirements for soil and moisture, light-loving, but grows well in light shade, decorativeness is not lost. An excellent variety for rock gardens and heather gardens, hedges. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Compressa"

A narrow columnar, symmetrical, slow-growing variety, with straight, vertical, rigid, dense branches. It grows very slowly, annual height growth is 2-3 cm, size is about 0.8-1 m in height and 0.25-0.35 m in crown diameter. The needles are green-bluish-steel, prickly. It is not picky about soil and humidity, not very frost-resistant, when grown in climate zone 5, shelter for the winter. Planting location is sunny to light shade. Recommended for small gardens, alpine slides. Winter hardiness zone 6B

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Depressa Aurea"

Bright low wide shrub. It grows quite quickly, the annual growth is 8-12 cm. At 10 years it reaches about 0.3 m in height and 1.5-2 m in crown diameter. The height of an adult plant is 0.8-0.9 m. The shoots are long, thick, evenly spaced, radially, the crown is formed regular, symmetrical, a bush with a characteristic depression in the middle. The needle-shaped needles are short, sharp, golden-yellow in color, yellow-brown in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, soil and moisture requirements are low. Recommended for small gardens, as ground cover, planting in groups, as an element of garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Gold Cone"

A bright, very densely branched, narrowly conical variety. The growth rate is average, annual growth is 10-15 cm in height, 5 cm in width, reaching 1.5 m in height at the age of 10 years. An adult plant is 2.5-3.5 m tall and 1-1.2 m wide. The shoots are dense and straight. The needles are prickly, very bright, from golden green to golden yellow, golden brown in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates partial shade; in shady places the intensity of the yellow color decreases, but does not lose its decorative effect. Undemanding, grows in all soils, dry, fresh, moist, as well as in very poor, acidic and alkaline soils. Recommended for rocky, heather gardens and bright, free-growing hedges. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Green Carpet"

creeping slow growing dwarf shrub, annual growth is no more than 4-6 cm, reaching at the age of 10 years only 10 cm in height with a diameter of 1.5 m. The height of an adult plant is 0.2-0.35 m and the width is 1.5-2 m. Very densely branched , forms dense tiered clumps. The needles are needle-shaped, short, light green, later dark green, soft, not prickly. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Very frost-resistant, undemanding, grows in all dry and moist soils. A reliable, beautiful ground cover shrub for a small garden. Recommended for rocky gardens, heather gardens, borders, ridges, cemeteries, planters on the roof, as ground cover plant. Fitting density: 3 pcs. per 1 m². Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Greenmantle"

The variety is similar to the popular "Green Carpet", creeping, slow growing. At 10 years old it grows to 0.2 m in height and up to 2 m in diameter. The needles are green, non-prickly. It tolerates pruning well, a popular variety grafted onto a standard form. Other characteristics, preferences and recommendations as "Green Carpet". Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Hibernica"

A very popular form of common juniper, a tree with a narrow, very densely branched columnar crown. The growth rate is average, the annual growth is 10-15 cm in height, 5 cm in width, at the age of 10 years it reaches up to 1.5 m in height, an adult plant is up to 3-5 m in height and 1-1.2 m. width. The ends of the shoots are hard, vertical, the needles are short, needle-shaped, pointed but not prickly, green-blue on both sides. The roots are deep, slightly branched. Very frost-resistant. Photophilous. Unpretentious, grows on all soils: dry, fresh, wet, as well as very poor, acidic and alkaline. Recommended for small gardens and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Hornibrookii"

Creeping shrub forming a green-silver carpet. The growth rate is average, reaching 0.3 m in height and up to 2 m in width at the age of 10 years, the size of an adult plant is up to 0.5 - 0.6 m in height and up to 3 m in width. The shoots are densely located, lying in tiers on top of each other, the ends are slightly raised. The needles are short, thick, prickly, 5-6 mm. long, light green with a characteristic slightly silvery tint. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates slight shading. Unpretentious, grows on all soils: dry, fresh, wet, as well as very poor, acidic and alkaline. Recommended as ground cover. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Horstmann"

Original coniferous shrub with a spreading picturesque form, with outstretched shoots. The average growth rate, growth is about 15 cm per year, at the age of 10 years it reaches 1.5 m in height and the same in diameter, an adult plant reaches a height of 2.5-3 m and 2 m in diameter. IN mature age one of the most beautiful weeping forms of juniper. The needles are small, needle-shaped, dark green in color. Very frost-resistant, prefers sunny places, but tolerates slight shade. Unpretentious, grows on all soils. It is recommended to plant individually on lawns. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Meyer"

"Meyer" is one of the best columnar forms of common juniper. Vigorous, densely bushy, dense, columnar shrub with slightly hanging ends of shoots. The annual growth is 15 cm in height, 5 cm in width. At the age of 10 years, it reaches 1.5-2 m in height. The height of an adult plant is 3-5 m and 1-1.2 in width. The crown is compact, symmetrical, the needles are shiny, needle-shaped, pointed, prickly, silver-green, becoming green-blue closer to winter. Reliable and very frost-resistant, natural selection. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Unpretentious, grows on all soils, dry and wet, as well as very poor, acidic and alkaline. Recommended for small gardens and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Oblonga Pendula"

A low tree with a wide irregular shape crowns The tree grows quickly, adding annually up to 20-25 cm in height, reaching 2-2.5 m in height at the age of 10 years. An adult plant reaches 3-5 m in height, about 3 m in width. The branches are straight, thick, long, gracefully drooping with age. The needles are in the form of prickly needles up to 2 cm long, green, slightly brownish in winter. Very frost-resistant, low soil and moisture requirements. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. For solitaire plantings in prominent places. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Repanda"

A flat, slow-growing, dwarf creeping variety of juniper. The annual growth is up to 2-3 cm in height, up to 10-12 cm in width, reaching 0.2 m in height at the age of 10 years with a diameter of 2-2.5 m. The branching is tiled, the branches are horizontal and evenly distributed in different sides, a regular symmetrical creeping cushion-shaped crown is formed. The needles are densely located, dark green, with silver stripes on top, turn brown in winter, needle-shaped, not prickly. Photophilous, tolerates slight shade, very frost-resistant. It is not demanding on soils; it grows in everything from dry to moist, from acidic to alkaline. A reliable ground cover variety for garden decoration, as a single tapeworm, in pots on roofs, as a ground cover plant. Fitting density: 2 pcs. per 1 m². Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Suecica"

Strictly vertical, columnar, dense, multi-stemmed form of juniper, with drooping branch tips, relatively fast-growing. The annual growth in height is 15-20 cm, reaching up to 2 m in height at the age of 10 years. An adult plant is 3-5 m tall and 1.2-1.6 m wide. The needles are needle-shaped, pointed, prickly, bluish-gray-green in color. Photophilous. Reliable, very frost resistant unpretentious variety, grows on all soils: dry, fresh, wet, as well as very poor, acidic and alkaline. Recommended for small gardens, rocky and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus communis (common juniper) "Suecica Nana"

A slow-growing shrub with a narrow-columnar crown, at the age of 10 years it reaches up to 1.5 m in height and only 0.4 m in width. The shoots are arranged vertically, covered with bluish-steel needles. Other characteristics, preferences like "Suecica". Recommended for small gardens, rocky and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus conferta (coastal juniper)

Coastal juniper is named so for a reason. The distribution area under natural conditions is coastal areas on Sakhalin and Japan, on loose sandy soils; its long creeping branches form dense thickets. In nature, it winters under the protection of high snow cover. Fruits abundantly, the cones are round, 8-12 mm, initially bluish-green, then darken and become dark blue, covered with a bluish coating, as if covered with frost, do not ripen at the same time, and decorate the bushes for a long time. The needles are gray-green, shiny, fragrant, 10-15 mm. long, with spiky ends. Photophilous, drought-resistant, salt-resistant. Not picky about soil fertility, recommended for planting on poor sandy soils. Little is known in cultivation; there are still few garden varieties.

Decorative garden varieties of coastal juniper:

Juniperus conferta (coastal juniper) "Blue Pacific"

Spreading, creeping form of coastal juniper. Slow-growing, at the age of 10 years it reaches about 0.4 m in height with a diameter of 1 m, an adult plant up to 2 m in diameter. The needles are long, green-blue, prickly. Photophilous, frost-resistant, undemanding to soil and moisture. Used as ground cover, on alpine slides and rock gardens. Grows in sunny places. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus conferta (coastal juniper) "Schlanger"

A spreading, slow-growing form, at the age of 10 years it reaches 0.2 m in height and 1 m in diameter. The needles are long, dark green with a bluish tint, and prickly. Frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates light shade. Undemanding to soil and moisture. Recommended for rocky gardens and rock gardens as a ground cover plant. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal or prostrate juniper)

Evergreen creeping low-growing shrub. Distribution area under natural conditions is the Atlantic region of North America. It grows in deep to medium-deep, mostly poor sandy soils, rocky mountain areas, gravel, calcareous slopes, often Great Lakes dunes, coastal cliffs, and occasional swamps. Creeping shrub with graceful long branches, densely covered with blue-green needle-shaped needles 3-5 mm, turning brown in autumn and winter. Fruits abundantly, numerous dark blue, almost black cones up to 6 mm. stand out beautifully against the background of pine needles. Frost resistance is high, it is not very demanding on the soil, it grows on poor acidic to alkaline soils. Tolerates urban climate and industrial emissions, periods of summer drought. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Juniperus horizontalis is one of the most common types of ground cover juniper in decorative landscaping, and today many interesting decorative forms have been created.

Decorative garden varieties of horizontal juniper:

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Andorra Compact"

Popular dwarf form. Dense compact flat-rounded cushion-shaped shrub, the branches are very densely located from the middle and directed outward, and slightly raised, with age the lateral branches lie on top of each other. It grows slowly, the annual growth does not exceed 5-10 cm, at the age of 10 years it reaches 0.3 m in height and 1 m in diameter. An adult plant is about 0.4 m high and 2 m wide. The needles are mostly scale-like, sometimes needle-shaped, very narrow and small, gray-green in summer, acquiring a light purple tint in winter. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Very frost-resistant. It is undemanding to soils and grows even on poor soils. Recommended for small gardens as a ground cover plant and for garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Andorra Variegata"

Dwarf form. Dense spreading flat-rounded cushion-shaped shrub, branches radiate, densely located from the middle and directed outward, and slightly raised, with age the lateral branches lie on top of each other, gray-blue in summer, purple in winter with numerous cream fragments. The needles are scaly. It grows slowly, the annual growth is about 5-8 cm, at the age of 10 years it reaches 0.3 m in height and 0.8 m in diameter. An adult plant is about 0.4 m high and 2 m wide. Frost-resistant. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Small requirements for soil and moisture, prefers moderately nutritious, sandy loam, acidic, well-drained soils. Used as a ground cover plant on small areas. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Bar Harbor"

A very low, fast-growing, spreading variety of shrub, with creeping shoots lying on the ground, with a dense crown, thin branches. At the age of 10 years it reaches 0.1 m in height and up to 2.5 m in width. The needles in the form of small needles and scales, green with a bluish tint, usually acquire a slightly purple tint in the fall. Very frost-resistant, light-loving. It is undemanding to soils and grows even on poor, dry, sandy soils. Recommended for alpine slides and rock gardens as a ground cover. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Blue Chip"

A popular ground cover blue juniper, the name means blue chip in English. A low creeping shrub characterized by an average growth rate. At the age of 10 years it reaches 0.2 m in height with a diameter of 1.5 m. The shoots are dense, creeping along the ground, growing unevenly to the sides, with easily rising ends. The needles are small, silver-blue, slightly purple in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving. The requirements for soil and moisture are low. It develops better on moist, but without stagnant water, moderately nutritious, sandy loam, acidic, well-drained soils. Recommended for rocky gardens, ground cover plant. Fitting density: 2 pcs. per 1 m². Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Blue Forest"

An original variety with a creeping form, with vertically located short shoots. Slow growing, reaches 0.3 m in height and about 1 m in width at the age of 10 years. An adult plant reaches 0.4 m in height and 1.5-1.8 m in width. The needles are scaly green-blue, silver-violet in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving. The soil and moisture requirements are small; it prefers moderately dry soils with an acidic or alkaline reaction; it does not develop well on heavy soils. For planting in rock gardens and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Douglasii"

Creeping shrub of irregular shape. Quite fast growing, at the age of 10 years about 0.15 m in height and up to 2 m in width. The shoots are long, covered with scales, gray-green with a blue tint, slightly purple in winter. Needle-shaped needles only in the inner part of the bush. Undemanding to soil and moisture. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates slight shading. For rock gardens, alpine slides, as ground cover. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Glacier"

A beautiful creeping groundcover juniper, slow-growing, at 10 years it grows up to 0.1 m in height and about 1 m in diameter. The needles are scaly, rich green-blue in color. This is one of the most striking blue varieties. The shoots are tender, roll-shaped. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, not picky about soils. Recommended for small gardens as a ground cover, for rock gardens and slides, as a container plant. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Glauca"

A prostrate, very densely branched, creeping, relatively fast-growing low shrub. Forms a dense flat carpet. Annual growth is 12-15 cm. By the age of 10, the height of the plant reaches 0.1 m in height with a crown diameter of up to 1.5 m. An adult plant is 10-15 cm in height and 2-2.5 meters in width. The shoots are numerous, thin, long, densely covered with needles, the scaly needles are very small, soft, silver-blue, the color does not change in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates slight shading, tolerates urban climate and industrial emissions. It is not picky about soil, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained, even poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for rock gardens, alpine slides, as a ground cover. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Golden Carpet"

Elegant creeping form “Golden carpet”, one of the most popular among creeping yellow varieties juniper. Flat, prostrate ground cover shrub, with creeping creeping shoots, characterized by relatively rapid growth. Annual growth is up to 10-12 cm. At the age of 10 years it reaches 0.1 m in height and 1.2 m in width. The skeletal branches are long, grow in different directions from the center of the bush, pressed tightly to the ground, take root and receive additional nutrition and additional opportunities for horizontal development of the plant; old specimens reach impressive sizes. Creating a dense, wide-spread canopy that truly covers the ground like a carpet. The needles are scaly, thick, densely cover the shoots, green-golden-yellow, in winter they acquire a light bronze tint. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, planted in an open sunny place, in shaded places the needles turn green. The requirements for soil and moisture are low; it prefers moist, moderately nutritious, well-drained soil. Recommended as a ground cover plant and also for rocky gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Grey Pearl"

A dwarf shrub with an outstretched, slightly raised crown. Quite slowly growing, reaching 0.3 m in height and about 0.8 m in width at the age of 10 years. The dimensions of an adult plant are 0.4 height and about 1.5 m width. It grows wide, forming a dense clump, with vertically growing shoots. The needles are thick, tender, in the form of small gray-blue needles, 0.3-0.4 cm long, bronze in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, low soil and moisture requirements. Recommended for heather gardens and alpine slides. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis Icee Blue (horizontal juniper) "Monber"

Popular creeping variety. Slow growing, at the age of 10 years up to 0.1 m in height and up to 1 m in width. An adult plant reaches 0.1-0.2 m in height, crown width is about 2.2-2.5 m. The skeletal branches are very long, flexible, highly branched, densely covering the surface of the ground. The needles are scaly, cylindrical, bright blue, and take on a steel tint in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates partial shade; in semi-shaded places the needles almost do not lose their blue color saturation. Small requirements for soil and moisture. Used for alpine slides, retaining walls, for containers, as an ampelous, ground cover plant. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Jade River"

Creeping fast-growing variety. Reaches 0.1 m in height and more than 2 m in width at the age of 10 years. The shoots are dense, long, covered with needles and scales, gray-blue, slightly purple in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, low soil and moisture requirements. For rock gardens, for alpine slides, as a ground cover. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Limeglow"

The variety has a spreading form, rather slow growing, annual growth of about 7-8 cm, at the age of 10 years up to 0.3 m in height and 0.8 m in width. The height of an adult plant is 0.3-0.4 m. The diameter of the crown does not exceed 1 m. The shoots are cylindrical, radiant, form a small depression in the middle of the bush, the crown is compact, dense, and symmetrical. The needles are small, soft, scaly, spring color is golden-yellow, gradually turning green. Winter coloration shows brownish-pinkish-orange tones. In highly lit areas it may be damaged by the sun. High winter hardiness, light-loving, tolerates light semi-shade. Soil and moisture requirements are average; it does not tolerate overly moist heavy soils. Recommended for color compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Prince of Wales"

“Prince of Wales” is a very low creeping shrub, slow-growing, annual growth is 10-12 cm. At the age of 10 years, it reaches 0.2 m in height with a diameter of 1.5 m. An adult plant is 0.3 m and a crown diameter of about 2.5-2, 8 m. The branches are relatively rigid, ground cover, and with age lie on top of each other. The scaly needles are richly green; in winter, a reddish-reddish bronze hue appears. Photophilous, tolerates light shade. Frost resistance is high. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows in all dry, fresh, well-drained, even poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. It is recommended to be used as a ground cover plant to form so-called juniper “lawns” on slopes and in rock gardens. Fitting density: 2 pcs. per 1 m². Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus horyzontalis (horizontal juniper) "Variegata"

An original form, more massive than other representatives of the horizontal juniper group. Bush average speed growth, reaches 0.3 m in height and up to 2 m in width at the age of 10 years. An adult plant reaches 0.5-0.6 m in height, the crown diameter is up to 2.5-3.0 m. The shoots are sparse, located at an angle relative to the ground. The needles are scaly, bluish-green, with white fragments irregularly scattered throughout the plant. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates slight shading; even in conditions of significant shading, the contrasting variegated color of the needles is preserved. Low requirements for soil and moisture, grows in all dry, fresh, well-drained, even poor soils. For rock gardens and flower compositions. Poorly covers the surface. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus horizontalis (horizontal juniper) "Wiltonii"

A low creeping variety, characterized by fairly strong growth, reaching 0.1 m in height at the age of 10 years with a diameter of 2-2.5 m. The shoots are long, creeping, the color is silver-blue-green. The needles are scaly, very small needle-shaped in the center of the crown. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, low soil and moisture requirements, grows on all dry, fresh, even poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for growing as a ground cover plant, for the formation of so-called juniper “lawns”, on slopes and in rocky gardens. Fitting density: 2 pcs. per 1 m². Winter hardiness zone 3

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana

Medium juniper is not a natural species, it is a hybrid of Cossack and Chinese junipers. Juniper is a medium-sized, powerful, unpretentious, widely spreading shrub, with obliquely ascending branches, a funnel-shaped crown, the lower branches lie horizontally on the ground, some hybrid forms With age they can reach up to 3.5 m in height and 5-7 (8) m in width.

Ornamental garden varieties of juniper middle Pfitzerian:

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Blue and Gold"

An original shrub variety of juniper, relatively slow-growing, annual growth of no more than 8-10 cm, reaching 0.8 m in height with a diameter of 1 m at the age of 10 years. An adult plant is up to 2 m in diameter, the crown is irregular, asymmetrical. The shoots are thick, long, grow unevenly, moderately branched at a young age, and branching intensifies over time. The needles are needle-shaped, not prickly, uniquely colored, the general background of the bush is blue, with golden-yellow spots of different sizes scattered throughout it. Prefers well-lit places up to partial shade; in partial shade the color of the needles loses their saturation a little and becomes more faded. Frost-resistant, low soil and moisture requirements, can grow even on sandy and rocky soils. Recommended for small gardens, single plantings and compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Gold Coast"

The variety is bush-shaped, with a dense spreading crown, growth rate is average. At 10 years it reaches about 0.5 m in height with a diameter of 1.5 m, the maximum height of an adult plant is 1 m and 2 m in diameter. The shoots are ridge-shaped, dense, the needles are scaly, needle-shaped at the base of the branches, golden-yellow. It is not demanding on soil fertility, grows on all dry and fresh soils, even poor soils, and has high frost resistance. Prefers sun to partial shade, develops more slowly in the shade. Used in small gardens as a ground cover, for alpine slides, plant compositions and groups. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Gold Star"

A compact medium-low shrub variety of juniper, characterized by an average growth rate, annual growth is 10-12 cm. At the age of 10 years, it reaches 0.5 m in height with a diameter of 1 m. An adult plant reaches up to 1 m in height and width up to 2.5 m. The shoots are thick, highly branched, and grow unevenly from the center of the bush. The ends of the shoots are drooping. The crown is formed dense, asymmetrical, spreading, flattened-cushion-shaped. The needles have the shape of needles or scales with a bright golden-yellow, greenish-yellow color. Low soil and moisture requirements, drought-resistant. Frost resistance is high. Prefers sun to partial shade; in partial shade the intensity of the yellow color decreases. Recommended for small gardens and rocky gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Hetzii"

A spreading, large, fast-growing shrub, with horizontal shoots when young and, with age, raised skeletal shoots and loosely arranged branches. The annual growth is 20-25 cm in height, 30 cm in width. At the age of 10 years it reaches up to 2.5 m in height and up to 3 m in diameter. An adult plant at 30-40 years old is 3-5 m tall and 5-7 m wide. The needles are mostly scaly, small, gray-blue. Frost resistance is high, light-loving. Tolerates periods of summer heat and drought well. It is undemanding to soils, grows on all types of soils, even those poor in nutrients, from dry to moist, from acidic to alkaline. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Mathot"

Low spreading variety with medium growth rate. At the age of 10 years it reaches about 0.5 m in height and 1.5 m in width. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, bluish-green. Green needles dominate on the main, fast-growing shoots. Undemanding to soil and moisture. Frost resistance is high. Prefers sun to partial shade. Recommended for garden plots, rock gardens, and flower arrangements. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Mint Julep"

A large dense shrub, with arched spreading branches and elegantly hanging ends of the shoots. Characterized by relatively strong growth, the annual growth is 10-15 cm in height, 20-30 cm in width. At the age of 10 years it reaches 1.5 m in height, with a diameter of 2-3 m. An adult plant at 30-40 years old reaches up to 2 .5 m high and 3-4 m wide. The needles are scaly and bright green. Photophilous, tolerates partial shade. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows on all dry and fresh, moderately nutrient-rich substrates, from acidic to alkaline. Frost resistance is high, resistant to urban climate and industrial emissions. Due to its size it is recommended for parks and large gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Mordian Gold"

The mutant of the old variety "Pfitzeriana Aurea" is characterized by slow growth and a more compact form. Annual growth is up to 10 cm, at the age of 10 years it reaches up to 0.8 m in height and crown diameter is 1.5-2 m. An adult plant is about 1 m in height and 2-2.5 m in width. The shoots are ridge-shaped, golden-yellow during growth. Not demanding, grows in all dry and fresh soils, moderately rich in nutrients, from acidic to alkaline. Photophilous, tolerates partial shade, high frost resistance. Designed for large gardens and as a color element in plant compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Old Gold"

A spreading, low, slow-growing shrub with spreading, dense branches. Annual growth is up to 5 cm in height, up to 15 cm in width. At the age of 10 years, it reaches 0.4 m in height with a diameter of 1 m. An adult plant is up to 2 m in height and 2.5-3 m in width. The needles are shaped like needles and scales with a bright golden-yellow color, even in winter. Frost resistance is high, prefers sun to partial shade. The requirements for soil and moisture are low; it grows on all moderately dry soils, fresh substrates, from acidic to alkaline. Resistant to urban climate and harmful emissions. Recommended for small and rocky gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper “Pfitzeriana”)

One of the most famous and widespread varieties, called the grandfather of all garden forms of juniper. It was introduced into sale in 1899 by L Shpet. Juniper medium “Pfitzeriana” is a fast-growing, large, powerful, widely spreading shrub, with funnel-shaped branches, the ends of the shoots gracefully hang, the lower branches lie horizontally on the ground. The dimensions of an adult plant are 3-4 m high and 6-8 m wide. In 10 years it grows more than 1 m in height and 3-4 m in crown diameter. The needles are scaly, partially needle-shaped, and painted a rich green color. Frost resistance is high, prefers sun to partial shade. Undemanding, grows on all soils, dry and moist, acidic and alkaline. Resistant to urban climate and harmful emissions, tolerates dry, semi-shaded locations under trees, is well trimmed, and can withstand even heavy pruning. Recommended for large gardens and parks. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Aurea"

A fast-growing large, wide-spreading shrub form, reaching 1 m in height at 10 years with a diameter of 3-4 m. An adult plant is 2.5-3.5 m in height and 3.5-5 m in width, old specimens up to 6-7 m .width. The crown is initially spread out, then raised, the ends of the shoots are hanging, the lower branches are horizontal and lie on the ground. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, pointed, young shoots are golden-yellow, later yellow-green. Frost resistance is high, prefers sun to partial shade, shade-tolerant. Unpretentious, grows on all soils. It is resistant to the urban climate and harmful emissions, it cuts well, and can withstand even heavy pruning. Recommended for parks and large gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper “Pfitzeriana Compacta”) "Pfitzeriana Compacta"

Dense compact flat-growing shrub. Fast-growing, at 10 years it reaches about 0.8 m in height and 1.5-2 m in crown diameter. The needles are scaly, needle-shaped at the base, green. Frost resistance is high, prefers sun to partial shade. Unpretentious, grows on all soils. Used in large gardens and in groups. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus media Pfitzeriana (medium juniper) "Glauca"

A spreading, large, fast-growing variety. At the age of 10 years it reaches 1 m in height and 2 m in width, old specimens reach almost 2 m in height and 3.5-5 m in width. The shoots are slightly raised. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, bluish-green turning into gray, with a silver tint. Frost resistance is high, prefers sun to partial shade, shade-tolerant. It is undemanding to soil and moisture content and grows on all soils. Resistant to urban climate and harmful emissions. Used for parks and large gardens, for wide unformed hedges. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper)

It grows naturally in the mountains of Southern Europe, the steppe zone of Siberia, Central Asia and Mongolia. It grows in rocky, steppe, light pine and deciduous forests, as well as in the foothills of the Alps on dry plains and areas with dry grass. Dioecious, widely bushy, low creeping or prostrate shrub with spreading branches. Up to 1.5 m high with often located recumbent tail-shaped branches, the bush is up to 6 m wide, forms dense thickets. Needles of two types. In young plants, it is needle-shaped, erect, 4-6 mm, bluish-green at the top, soft, with a clearly visible midrib. In adult plants it is scale-like. A characteristic feature of the species is the pungent odor that the needles and shoots emit when rubbed; the shoots of this species contain the essential oil of sobinol, which is a toxic substance. Abundant cone berries, round or ovoid-round, 5-7 mm. in diameter, blue-black covered with a bluish waxy coating, ripen in the autumn of the first year or in the spring of the second year. Winter-hardy, light-loving, tolerates slight shading, drought-resistant, undemanding to soil, resistant to smoke and gas, tolerates heavy pruning. Thanks to the rooting of branches (paws) lying on the surface of the earth, it grows quickly. The species has been used in culture for a very long time, widely used for decorating rocky hills, slopes, in single and group plantings on lawns and forest edges.

Decorative garden varieties of Cossack juniper:

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Arcadia"

Dense, rapidly growing dwarf shrub, annual growth of at least 12-15 cm, reaches 0.3 m in height at the age of 10 with a diameter of 1.5-2 m. The crown is regular, symmetrical, dense, cushion-shaped at a young age, then wide-spread . The needles are scaly, small, soft, light green or green. Frost resistance is high, it prefers sun to partial shade; in shady corners the decorative effect of the shrub does not suffer. Undemanding, drought-resistant, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained, poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Tolerates urban climate. Recommended for small gardens, alpine slides and rock gardens, urban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus Sabina (Cossack juniper) "Blaue Donau"/"Blue Donaube"

A spreading, low, fast-growing shrub, annual growth is about 20 cm. At the age of 10 years, it reaches 1 m in height with a diameter of 1.5 m. The needles are scaly, needle-shaped at the base of the crown, green-blue in color. Very frost-resistant, grows well in sunny and semi-shaded places, resistant to urban conditions. Undemanding, drought-resistant, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained, poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for large gardens, alpine slides and rock gardens, urban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Broadmoor"

A wide-spreading, low, dense, creeping variety. Rapidly growing, reaching 0.2 m in height and about 2 m in diameter at the age of 10 years. An adult plant reaches a height of 0.3 m and 3 m in diameter. The shoots are located horizontally, overlap each other in a tiled manner, green with a slightly blue tint. The needles are scaly. Frost resistance is high, prefers sunny places, tolerates slight shading. Resistant to urban conditions. Undemanding, drought-resistant, grows on all soils. Recommended as a ground cover for urban and suburban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Glauca"

A fast-growing tall and wide creeping spreading shrub that quickly grows in width. At the age of 10 years it reaches approximately 1.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter, an adult plant up to 5 m in diameter. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, blue-green, reddish-green in winter. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, resistant to urban conditions. Requirements for soil and moisture are small, drought-resistant. Recommended for large gardens, urban landscaping, and residential areas. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Mas"

The variety is tall and widely spreading, densely bushy with strongly raised branches and inclined ends of the shoots. Moderately fast growing, annual growth up to 10 cm in height, up to 20 cm in width. At 10 years it grows about 0.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter. An adult plant is 1.5-2 m tall, and 5-7 older specimens and up to 8 m wide. The needles are mostly small, velvety needle-like, prickly, bluish on top, green below, with a slight purple tinge in winter. Very frost-resistant, undemanding, drought-resistant, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained, poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Photophilous, tolerates slight shading. Tolerates urban climate and tolerates heavy pruning. Recommended for large gardens and parks, urban and suburban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Rockery Gem"

Spreading, low, flat-growing, fast-growing shrub. At the age of 10 years it reaches about 0.4 m in height and up to 3 m in width. An adult plant is 2-3.5 wide and 0.5 m tall. The crown is very dense, dense, the branches are located horizontally and partially lying on the ground, covered very densely with small needles, the tips of the shoots are scaly, colored blue-green color. Very frost-resistant, prefers sun to partial shade. Undemanding, grows on all soils, dry and moist, acidic and alkaline. Resistant to urban climate and harmful emissions, tolerates dry, semi-shaded locations under trees, is well trimmed, and can withstand even heavy pruning. Recommended for large gardens and parks, as a ground cover plant, urban and suburban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Tamariscifolia"

A fairly large flat-growing shrub, with skeletal branches very densely arranged in several layers, lying on top of each other, with very short branches directed upward. The growth rate is average, annual growth is 3 cm in height, 15-20 cm in width. At the age of 10 years, about 0.3 m in height and 1.5-2 m in diameter. The dimensions of an adult plant are up to 1 m high and 3 m wide. When young, the shoots spread along the ground; with age they rise. The needles are thick, in the form of small needles, light green/bluish-green. Photophilous, undemanding to soil and moisture, tolerates heat and drought, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained, also poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Very frost-resistant. Resistant to urban climate and industrial emissions. Recommended for home gardens, rocky gardens, and as a ground cover plant. In urban gardening. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus sabina (Cossack juniper) "Variegata"

Slow-growing dwarf form, annual growth does not exceed 5-7 cm. At the age of 10 years it reaches 0.4 m in height with a diameter of 1 m. Dimensions of an adult plant, height about 1 m, crown diameter up to 1.5-1.8 m The branches are spread out, creeping, and grow evenly from the center of the bush, forming a dense, regular, symmetrical rounded crown. The needles are predominantly scaly green in color. A characteristic feature is that some of the shoots have an elegant white-variegated color. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, undemanding to soil and moisture. Recommended for small gardens and rocky gardens, garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper)

Its natural distribution range in the US Rocky Mountains covers the states of West Texas, Northern Arizona and Oregon. True to its name, it settles on rocks, climbing to a height of 1500-2000 m above sea level. Slender trees up to 10-12 m in height, but there are specimens even higher, up to 15 m in height. The crown is pyramidal, symmetrical, with a clear, beautiful silhouette. The needles are needle-shaped or scaly. The cone berries are dark blue with a bluish waxy coating. Garden forms of this species are popular due to the slender, symmetrical crown inherited from the species ancestor, elegant coloring of the needles, high frost resistance and unpretentiousness.

Decorative garden varieties of rock juniper:

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper) "Blue Arrow"

It is one of the most popular varieties of columnar juniper. Extremely narrow and straight vertical very dense columnar form, with vertically growing branches closely pressed to each other and adjacent dense shoots. The needles are needle-shaped or scaly, small, tightly adjacent to the branches, intensely gray-blue in color, the tonality of the young growths differs slightly. The growth rate is average, the annual increase in height is 10-20 cm, in width up to 5 cm. At the age of 10 years it reaches 2-3 m in height. The dimensions of an adult plant are 5-6 m high and 0.7-1 m wide. Prefers well-lit places. Frost resistance is high, undemanding, grows on all dry or moist substrates, not very rich in nutrients. It lends itself perfectly to cutting and grows back slowly, thanks to which it can be used to create different shaped, cropped shapes, and holds its given shape for a long time. Used in rock gardens, heather gardens, hedges, compositions in containers. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper) "Blue Heaven"

Beautiful cone-shaped with an average growth rate, at the age of 10 years it reaches about 2-2.5 m in height. The size of an adult plant is up to 5 m in height, up to 1.5 m in width. The crown is slender, regular, symmetrical, squat, columnar. The branches are straight, thick, strongly branched, raised, cylindrical, the ends of the shoots and the apex are slightly drooping. The scaly needles are a beautiful pure blue color, the same in winter. One of the bluest varieties of juniper. Frost resistance is high, undemanding, grows on all dry or moist substrates, not very rich in nutrients. Prefers bright places or light partial shade. Recommended for color compositions and solitary plantings, in bright hedges. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper) "Moonglow"

A bright, wide-pyramidal, fast-growing variety, at the age of 10 years up to 2.5 m in height. The dimensions of an adult plant are up to 6 m in height, up to 1.5 m in width. The branches are dense, thick, located vertically, slightly extending to the sides, growing evenly. The crown is smooth, dense, dense, symmetrical, wide-pyramidal. The scaly needles are bright blue, silver-blue in winter. One of the brightest blue varieties. Frost resistance is high, undemanding, grows on all dry or moist substrates, not very rich in nutrients. It grows poorly on heavy soils. Prefers sunny places or light shading; in shady places the shoots become excessively elongated and the crown loses density. Recommended for flower compositions and solitaire plantings, in bright hedges. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper) "Skyrocket"

A slender tree, growing strictly vertically, an extremely narrow columnar shape, with straight, long, dense branches vertically adjacent to the trunk and each other. Characterized by rapid growth. The annual growth is 20-30 cm in height, 5 cm in width. At the age of 10 years it reaches more than 3 m in height, an adult plant is 6-8 m in height and 0.8-1 m in width. The needles are needle-shaped and scaly, of a very beautiful green-grayish-blue color, which does not change throughout the year. It is light-loving and should be planted in well-lit places; in light shading, the shoots become very elongated and the crown becomes loose. Frost resistance is high, undemanding, grows on all dry or fresh substrates that are not very rich in nutrients. Tolerates urban conditions well. Recommended for small home gardens as a horizontal element in plant compositions and hedges. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus scopulorum (rock juniper) "Wichita Blue"

Vertically growing, densely branched, columnar variety, medium growth rate. At the age of 10 years, about 2 m in height and 0.7 in width. An adult plant is about 4-6 m high and up to 1.5 m wide. In old age, it grows greatly in width and a pyramidal crown is formed. The branches are long, strongly branched, vertical, tightly pressed to each other, silvery-green-blue in color all year round. Frost resistance is high, undemanding, grows on all dry or fresh substrates that are not very rich in nutrients. Prefers sunny places or light partial shade; in shady places the needles do not lose their color saturation. Beautiful variety pyramidal in shape, recommended for hedges and trellises, as an element of color compositions. Planting spacing in a row: 0.6-0.8 m. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper)

A densely branched coniferous dioecious shrub that grows naturally in the mountains of China, Taiwan, and the Eastern Himalayas. Low-growing creeping shrubs up to 1.3-1.5 m tall, forming an irregular cushion shape with densely located branches. The needles are hard, prickly, sharp, 0.5-0.8 cm long, green. The cone berries are black, shiny, and ripen the following year. Photophilous, undemanding, grows on poor, dry or fresh soils, from acidic to alkaline.

Decorative garden varieties of scaly juniper:

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Blue Carpet"

A fairly fast-growing variety, a flat-spreading shrub, with a creeping crown, with long, strongly branched, dense branches forming an irregular cushion shape. Annual growth is 3-5 cm in height, 10-25 cm in width, reaching at the age of 10 years about 0.5 m in height with a diameter of 2-2.5 m. An adult plant is 0.3-0.5 m in height and up to 3 m .width. The needles are needle-shaped, thick, intensely silver-bluish-steel. Frost resistance is high. Photophilous, drought-resistant. Undemanding, grows in all dry or fresh, well-drained soils, as well as poor soils, from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for rocky gardens and as a ground cover plant. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Blue Star"

Dwarf form, slow growing with a dense compact crown, almost spherical at the beginning, becoming irregular and broadly rounded with age. The annual growth is 3 cm in height and 6 cm in width. At the age of 10 years it reaches 0.3-0.4 m in height and about 0.5 m in diameter. The branches are dense, short, needle-shaped needles, very thick, prickly, silver-blue in color. Frost resistance is high. Photophilous. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows in dry or fresh, well-drained soils, ranging from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for growing in containers and rock gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Blue Swede"

A relatively large medium-growing variety, annual growth of 12-15 cm, reaching a height of 1.0-1.2 m and 1.5 m in width. The branches are long, thick, moderately branching, growing unevenly from the center of the bush, with hanging tips of the shoots. The crown is asymmetrical, flattened and rounded. The needles are needle-shaped, very thick, hard, prickly, soft green-blue. Photophilous. Frost resistance is high. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows in dry or fresh, well-drained soils, ranging from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for heather gardens, large alpine hills and rocky gardens, garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Dream Joy"

A dwarf, compact, flat-shaped variety, reaching a height of 0.5 m and about 1 m in diameter. It grows relatively quickly, reaching 0.3 m in height at the age of 10 years with a diameter of 0.8 m. The branches are long, strongly branched, grow unevenly from the center of the bush, are located horizontally, the crown is asymmetrical, flattened, and cushion-shaped. The needles are needle-shaped, small, gray-blue, young growths during growth are bright golden-yellow, stand out in contrast against the background of old needles, which gives an excellent coloristic effect. Photophilous. Frost resistance is high. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows in dry or fresh, well-drained soils, ranging from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for small gardens and rock gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Floreant"

Very beautiful compact shape, mutation popular variety"Blue Star" Forms a small bush, dense, rounded shape. The needles are gray-blue, thick, prickly. A characteristic feature is the white-cream fragments, irregularly scattered throughout the plant. Frost resistance is high. Photophilous. The soil and moisture requirements are low; it grows in dry or fresh, well-drained soils, ranging from acidic to alkaline. Recommended for growing in containers, small gardens, rock gardens and slides. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Holger"

A low spreading shrub form, characterized by moderately rapid growth, at the age of 10 years it reaches a height of up to 0.8 m and about 1.5 m in diameter. The branches are long, strongly branched, from the center of the bush they grow evenly, in an arched manner, the ends of the shoots often spread along the ground. The crown is flattened and rounded, becoming cushion-shaped with age. The needles are needle-shaped, thick, short, silver-blue with a slight greenish tint; young growths in the spring during the growth process are bright golden-yellow, stand out in contrast against the background of old needles, which gives an excellent coloristic effect. Photophilous. Frost-resistant. The soil and moisture requirements are low and grows in dry to moderately moist, well-drained soils ranging from acidic to alkaline. Does not tolerate dense soils. Recommended for rocky and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Hunnetorp"

The variety has a low bush form, an average growth rate, at the age of 10 years it reaches 0.5 m in height and a diameter of about 1 m. The skeletal branches are thick, long, with numerous lateral shoots. Skeletal branches from the center of the bush grow unevenly, extending at a slight angle, directed to the sides and upwards. The needles are needle-shaped, small, very dense, the old ones are bluish-dark green, the young ones are blue-blue, they stand out in contrast against the background of the old needles, resulting in an excellent coloristic effect. Frost-resistant. Photophilous. Undemanding, grows in all dry to moderately moist soils. For small gardens, rock gardens and alpine slides. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus squamata (scaly juniper) "Meyeri"

A large variety, with an irregular funnel-shaped crown, with raised several strong main branches and numerous side shoots, with slightly hanging tops; with age, the bush becomes loose. Moderately vigorous, at the age of 10 years it reaches 1 m in height. The dimensions of an adult plant are 3-5 m tall and 2-3 m wide, very old specimens are up to 6 m tall. The needles are thick, needle-shaped, and have a pronounced silver-blue color. Frost-resistant. Photophilous, tolerates shade. Undemanding, grows on all moderately dry or fresh substrates, from acidic to alkaline. Tolerates urban climate, heat, and tolerates haircuts well. Recommended for single plantings and garden compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5B

Juniperus virginiana (Virginian juniper)

In natural conditions it grows on mountain slopes, from shallow, dry, poor calcareous rocky soils, to flooded areas and swampy places. In North America, from North Dakota and Minnesota to Maine, south to Texas and North Florida. In nature, tall trees with a columnar crown, reaching 15-30 m in height and a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m. The shoots are thin, the needles are scaly or needle-shaped, very small, green. Abundant small, spherical cone berries, 0.6 cm in diameter, dark blue with a bluish bloom, ripen in the first year in the fall, do not fall off for a long time. In the USA, the wood is used in the production of pencils, which is why it received another name: “pencil tree”. It is unpretentious in cultivation, very winter-hardy, drought-resistant, tolerates summer heat and periods of drought, urban climate, and emissions of harmful substances.

Ornamental garden varieties of juniper virginiana:

Juniperus virginiana (Virginian juniper) "Canaertii"

A fast-growing tall slender variety, columnar or cone-shaped, annual growth of more than 20 cm in height and 8-10 cm in width, at the age of 10 years more than 3 m in height. An adult plant is up to 10 m tall and 2-3 m wide. The branches are short, vertically adjacent, slightly deviating with hanging ends, covered with scales in youth, becoming more needle-shaped with age and bright green in color. Needle-shaped needles with sharp tips, but not prickly. Abundantly produces small blue cones, with a waxy coating, forming a beautiful contrast with the light green needles. It is undemanding to soils and moisture, tolerates all soils equally well, even very unfavorable ones, from dry sandy, poor in nutrients, to rocky or clayey. Grows well in both acidic and highly alkaline soils. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates shade only in youth. Tolerates summer heat and periods of drought, emissions of harmful substances. Recommended for urban landscaping, large gardens and hedges. Planting spacing in a row: 0.5-0.6 m. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus virginiana (Virginian juniper) "Grey Owl"

A spreading, vigorous shrub, with thick, strong, diagonally raised or horizontally lying branches, and hanging ends of the shoots. The annual growth is 10 cm in height, 20 cm in width, at the age of 10 years it reaches 1 m in height with a diameter of 2-2.5 m. An adult plant is up to 2-3 m in height and 5-8 m in width. The needles inside the plant are needle-shaped, scaly on the sides, green-silver-gray, the shoots are soft. Abundantly produces small, blue cones, with a waxy coating. It is undemanding about soils and moisture, tolerates all soils equally well, even very unfavorable ones, from dry sandy, poor in nutrients, to rocky or clayey. Grows well in both acidic and highly alkaline soils. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates partial shade. Tolerates summer heat and periods of drought, emissions of harmful substances. Recommended for parks and large gardens. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus virginiana (Virginian juniper) "Hetz"

A shrubby, large, spreading, fast-growing variety of juniper, reaching more than 1 m in height and 2-2.5 m in width at the age of 10 years. Old specimens are almost 2 m high and 3.5-5 m wide. The branches are thick, long, rising, spread above the ground, and in older specimens they are located obliquely. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, green-gray-blue, initially flat, later rounded. Very frost-resistant, light-loving, tolerates partial shade. It is undemanding to soil and moisture content and grows on all soils. Resistant to urban climate and harmful emissions. Recommended for large gardens and parks, for wide, unformed hedges. Winter hardiness zone 4

Juniperus virginiana (Virginian juniper) "Tripartita"

A fast-growing, wide-growing shrub with a dense crown, reaches up to 1 m in height and 1.5 m in width at the age of 10 years. An adult plant reaches up to 2 m in height and 10 m and even more in width. The branches are long, stiff, strong, characteristically irregularly deflected, covered with needles and scales, green with a blue tint, in winter with a purple tint. Very frost-resistant. Grows well in sunny and semi-shady places. Drought resistant. Undemanding to soil and moisture. Recommended for parks and large areas. Winter hardiness zone 4

Junipers are very decorative and diverse; they are undemanding to soil and moisture. And no matter the size of your plot or garden, you can always find a variety that will fit on it. We repeat once again, junipers are unique plants, have a unique property, they purify and heal the air, and have a healing effect on the body. Also "common juniper"(Other types of juniper coneberries are poisonous!) can be grown not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a fruit plant, for collecting juicy, tasty and healthy juniper berries (it does not form seeds in the shade). Junipers do not tolerate transplantation well, they reproduce by seeds, green cuttings taken with a heel, preferably from young plants; creeping forms are easily propagated by layering. It is better to propagate juniper by cuttings and layering; the seeds have a rather low germination rate. In addition, the most decorative are garden forms; seedlings grown from seeds do not repeat the characteristics of the parent specimens.

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The entire Northern Hemisphere can safely be called the homeland of this plant. Its distribution area is very wide, it is found from the shores of the Arctic and reaches mountainous subtropical regions. Even in Africa you can find special kind juniper - East African. Since ancient times, this plant has been attributed many magical properties. For example, it was believed that a branch of a plant or a wreath made from it would protect the house from evil spirits, and would also become an excellent magnet for attracting happiness.

Large trees can form true juniper forests, but most often group plantings in nature do not occupy large quantity places. The most extensive ones can be found in Central Asia, the Mediterranean, southern North America and Mexico. Tall and medium-sized junipers live in the undergrowth of deciduous and coniferous forests, where pure thickets are sometimes found. The shortest species are found on rocky slopes and cliffs. In total, about 70 species of juniper are known, 20 of them are found in the territory of the former USSR.

Most types of shrubs are drought-resistant and light-loving, undemanding to soil, but most of all prefer nutritious and light substances. The average lifespan of a plant is about 300-500 years, but there are cases of older specimens that are about six hundred years old.

Description of the plant

Juniper trees and shrubs are almost always bare, without scales, sometimes surrounded by short leaves pressed to the branch. Only the stone form is endowed with many dense scales. Young junipers have needle-like leaves, but with age they take on a scale-like shape.

The needles of the plant are similar to the needles of any plant from the Cypress family: bluish-green, triangular, needle-shaped, slightly pointed at the tips. Female spikelets consist of one whorl of scale-like carpels or two or three pairs of whorls of carpels endowed with 1-2 ovules. Male spikelets are opposite in pairs, have scale-like stamens, each of which has longitudinally detachable anthers.

Heather cones are spherical, sometimes somewhat elongated, blue or gray shade. Usually, they do not open completely due to the tightly closed, fleshy scales. Such cones ripen in the second year.

How does juniper reproduce?

Juniper can be propagated in four different ways: seeds, cuttings, grafting and layering. Creeping species often reproduce using the latter method. Seeds and cuttings of heather are harvested in early autumn, and the seeds are stratified over a period of five months. The rarest and most valuable plant species and forms are propagated using grafting.

Using juniper in landscape design

Trees and tall shrubby forms of juniper are often used in park landscaping. Juniper is used in small groups, to create hedges, and also in single plantings. Low-growing and creeping varieties of heather are planted to cover slopes, and rock gardens are created with their help. The roots of the plant perfectly “hold” the soil, which prevents erosion, and they are often used to strengthen slopes. Shrubs and trees grow slowly and are well trimmed.

Wonderful partners for juniper will be wild perennials, ornamental grasses, flower bushes. But one of the significant disadvantages of this plant is its low resistance to smoke and air pollution, and therefore is rarely used in urban environments. The needles of the plants have a bright aroma, which intensifies when exposed to the sun and rain.

There are special dwarf forms of the plant that are grown indoors with constant spraying. To form a bonsai, you should choose seedlings that have interesting shape trunk and shiny, harsh needles. Juniper bonsai grows well in the sun, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is not beneficial miniature plants, and therefore in the hot summer season it is better to hide the plants in partial shade.

When planting juniper in containers on outdoors Bonsai should be protected from strong wind and cover the top of the head during frosty periods. Long contact with snow can cause burns on juniper needles, so it is better to plant mini-trees under a canopy. As a container for planting junipers, it is better to choose glazed or unglazed deep ceramic containers. Yellowed needles should be removed regularly and the trunk and leaves should be washed with water. It is convenient to use a toothbrush to clean the bark.

At first, bonsai grows very quickly, but then the growth rate decreases. Transplantation should be carried out once every 3-5 years, preferably in the spring. The soil mixture should consist of equal parts of leafy soil, compost, river sand, and the soil should also be loose. During pinching, all the tops of young shoots are plucked completely from the plant. In this case, the trees grow upward and wider, while maintaining their dwarf forms. The shoots inside the crown are pinched most carefully. In winter, it is better not to perform pinching, and after the end of the cold weather, unsightly, dried and damaged branches are removed.

Pruning is best done in early spring or mid-autumn.

Diseases and pests

The most common disease among junipers is rust. Symptoms of this disease are the appearance of mucous, gelatinous and yellowish discharge on the branches. If such ailments appear, the damaged branches should be removed, and the plant itself should be treated with a solution of arceride (50 g per 10 liters of water). Spraying is carried out 4 times with an interval of 10 days. You can also effectively use immunostimulants and microfertilizers. In addition to the fact that juniper itself is susceptible to rust, it is also a carrier of it, and therefore heather shrubs and trees are planted near fruit and berry crops.

The juniper aphid is a common pest that attacks shoots of plants of the Cypress family. When multiplied en masse, it can cause enormous harm, especially to young shrubs and trees, since it sucks out sap, weakens, retards the growth of shoots, and inhibits the plant. Aphids are most often observed in clusters of ants, so the formation of anthills should not be allowed. If aphids do attack your plant, the affected areas should be washed with water, adding a little soap solution. The procedure is repeated every 7-10 days, making sure that soapy water does not get on the roots of the plant. You can also use the drug “Fitoferma” (20 g per 10 liters of water).

Juniper horizontal (video)

Juniper scale insects can settle on plant needles and young cones. The larvae attach themselves to the needles, which then dry out and fall off. Scale insects, sucking the juice from the plant, cause drying and curvature of the shoots. To combat this pest in the spring, when the first thawed patches appear near the plant trunks, it is necessary to apply rings of caterpillar glue to the shoots so that scale insects cannot get to the top. Another option: wear special hunting belts, which are made of burlap or straw.

If the pest infestation is not severe, then you can simply clean them off with a toothbrush or knife. With more severe defeat the tree is sprayed with insecticide.

Juniper is often affected by spruce spider mites. It entangles the needles with a thin and sparse web. As a result, first yellowish and then brown spots appear on the needles, and then they crumble. During one summer season, the female pest lays 3-4 larvae. When the first signs of spider mite infestation appear, the plant should be sprayed with colloidal sulfur, infusions of dandelion or garlic. For this you can use acaricides.

QUESTION. Are juniper and heather the same thing? - THE ANSWER is negative - No. Veres should not be confused with, veres refers to to the Cypress family, and heather is the only genus of the Heather family. Although both are evergreen.

HOLIDAY PLANT. Juniper is considered a Celtic festival plant.

ELEMENT – Fire

ASTROLOGY - identified with the Sun ( planet!!?- Sun)

APPLICATION. Plays an important role in pre-Easter cleansing, apotropaic (protective) and preventive rites, used for fumigation, less often sprinkling, households, people and livestock.

COLLECTION TIME. Clean Thursday. It was customary to go for juniper (heather) early in the morning. In Novgorod province. The peasants believed that with the rising of the sun the heather becomes holy, explaining this they said: “The Savior was hiding from the enemies under the heather” or “Christ under the heather.” In some places, so that the veres have the greatest magical power, knowledgeable people They advised leaving the house without washing or praying, and before entering the forest, be sure to say the spell: “King of the forest and queen of the forest, give me for good health, for fruit and family.” In some places there was a custom of shouting or singing in the forest while collecting junipers. It was believed that this would make the voice louder and better.

MODE OF APPLICATION. Veres was set on fire in a hut in a frying pan or stove damper and the house, yard, outbuildings to drive out evil spirits. Then, placing a screen on the floor in the middle of the hut, all the household would step or jump over it so as not to get sick and to get rid of their sins. In some places of the Novgorod province. For the same purpose, a soaked sprig of heather was sprinkled in all rooms in the house, on dishes and utensils, as well as on all family members.

Several branches of heather were stuck behind the mats and doorposts in the hut and in the stable to save the household from damage and various misfortunes, for example, a storm or lightning.

VERES AGAINST SNAKES. In Ancient Rus' there was a belief that heather berries helped against bites poisonous snakes. However, not only the Slavs and not only in Rus' believed in this. Jason, for example, put the Serpent guarding the Golden Fleece to sleep with the help of heather berries (juniper).

JUNIPER AND CATTLE. In some places they believed that these branches would help pets and livestock not get lost in the forest and would save them from an attack by an animal. Milk jugs were steamed with juniper to create good, heavy cream. It was stored all year and was used as a preventative, therapeutic and cleansing agent during calving of cows and goats. In the latter case, the cattle and especially their udders were fumigated with juniper smoke, only after that it was allowed to drink milk. In some places, on the day of the first pasture of cattle on Yegoriya (Yegoryev's Day), a shepherd walked around the herd with a bowl in which heather was smoldering. They also fumigated tubs with it, intending to pickle cucumbers or ferment cabbage in them.

Juniper, photo by Nata

IN A SLAVIC FUNERAL RITE. In the case of a funeral, the coffin was fumigated with heather before the deceased was placed in it, and the hut after the body was removed.

PROTECTION FROM INVESTIGATES. You can protect yourself from ill-wishers at work with the help of juniper - place on your desktop a product made from juniper, which is powerful amulet space. In addition to its protective properties, juniper has a pleasant smell and releases favorable energy.

IN LITERATURE: The juniper thickets stretching along the road retreated, and Fogty saw the castle of the Ezel bishop ahead. I saw it immediately, in its entirety, and even stopped, as if stumbling, trying to digest the spectacle that had opened up. For it was truly a Castle.Alexander Prozorov, People of the Sword

IN PEOPLE'S MEDICINE

• Juniper helps against scabies, against female diseases and as a diuretic. It also has the ability to scare away the undead, visible and invisible, and ward off damage. A. Prozorov, Gold of the Dead (Prince-3).

IN MAGIC: used in defense.

Juniper on the coats of arms of Piluon (Lithuania), the coat of arms of the commune of Mieming (Austria) and on the coat of arms of the municipality of La Ginebrosa (Spain)

SYMBOLISM. Protection, initiative, confidence, and also resilience and wealth.

Information collected by Natta

DEITIES - Aphrodite (Cypris), Apollo, Venus, Pluto, Astarte
MAGIC
In various traditions of the Old and New Worlds, juniper is used to fumigate a house, stable, and other utility premises in order to prevent lightning strikes or expel unclean spirits. Grow juniper in front of your porch for protection from evil forces.
Sometimes used in bags of dried herbs to deter thieves.
For fumigation, juniper roots are dug up during the third quarter of the moon near sunset.
Cleansing the house with smoldering berries and juniper roots drives out evil spirits and protects a person from slander. If you burn its needles in your apartment, you can get rid of the adverse effects. Juniper needles can cleanse the unfavorable aura in the apartment, if you burn the needles and fumigate the rooms with smoke, juniper tincture in some cases has a great effect on “evil” things, even jewelry. To have an effect, you should leave the item in the tincture for at least overnight.
For a person, juniper can help remove the evil eye or damage, and get rid of the effects of a love spell.
Rubbing your hands with juniper oil helps cleanse your aura.
Sometimes we become victims negative influence creatures from the other world. When this happens, we either fall under their will, or we resist, but this causes us to get sick - in this case, inhaling juniper smoke or ingesting juniper berry tincture helps a lot. For protection, in difficult cases, you can also constantly be in direct contact with the plant: come to a living bush, carry fresh branches with you, wash yourself with a decoction. It is only important to remember that even after the phenomenon affecting you leaves you alone, you should continue protective actions for quite a long time, since the program that this phenomenon could have left in your energy structure can continue to work independently.
Juniper also has the ability to lead us along the right path and help us make the right decisions.
Juniper is a shrub with strong cleansing properties. Its power is mainly directed not at people, but at the objects around them.
To do this, you can also wear products made from its wood (earrings, beads, bracelets).
In Rus' it was also believed that juniper seeds worn on the body could protect against snake bites. It was also noticed that milk in a juniper jug ​​does not sour even on a hot summer day, and in barrels steamed with juniper, vegetables salted for the winter do not spoil for a long time.
Juniper shoots worn on oneself protect against accidents.
One of the oldest incense used by witches was a mixture of leaves and dried crushed juniper berries. Make a talisman by stringing ripe berries on a string to attract your lover's attention.