Landscaping With Large Juniper

Varieties

• Upright junipers are large trees often used as shapely shrubs in landscaping. A tall species of juniper with a narrow, conical shape is the Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis). Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is a conical shaped upright that comes in several cultivars with a wide assortment of blue hued foliage. Some varieties of Juniperus scopulorum include the powder-blue needled "Blue Heaven," "Pathfinder" with its light-blue foliage and "Skyrocket," which has bluish-green leaves. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) grows to heights of 40- to 50-feet-tall with bluish-gray foliage and has a pyramid-like formation.

Health

• Junipers have an extreme tolerance for adverse conditions and flourish in a wide range of habitats, including mountains and ocean-front properties. They prefer the sun; junipers tend to lose foliage and develop a sparse appearance when planted in a shady location. These landscaping evergreens enjoy well-draining locations but withstand many different types of soils. Typical pests found on juniper trees are spider mites, bag worms, leaf miners and aphids. Pesticides and natural predators help to control these bothersome pests.

Maintenance

• Keeping landscape junipers healthy and attractive requires selective pruning, such as tip pruning or thinning, to promote new growth. Tip pruning is the practice of removing one to two inches from top branches. Thinning removes connecting branches back to their points of origin. These fast-growing trees have a low tolerance for severe pruning. Juniper shrubs need plenty of space because they often spread up to six feet within a couple of years. Fort Valley State University suggests making a note of the ultimate shape and size of the juniper before purchasing for landscaping.

Uses

• Landscapers favor junipers because of their numerous design characteristics, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Junipers are commonly used ornamental trees because they have lustrous foliage year round. Creating a subtle horizontal line of junipers helps to transition from a house’s wall to ground level. Planting tall, strong junipers in a line attracts attention to a pathway. Junipers are ideal trees for problem areas in the landscape, such as sandy soils, regions with high pH levels and areas exposed to windy conditions.