Planting Prince of Wales Junipers

Description

• "Prince of Wales" juniper shrubs creep horizontally along the ground, forming mats about 6 inches tall with spreads ranging from 3 to 6 feet. The needlelike, bluish-green foliage turns to shades of burgundy to plum for the winter. Although a non-flowering juniper variety, the female shrubs occasionally bear fleshy seeds that look like berries. Mass plant these junipers around foundations, shrubs, sidewalks, driveways or wherever you wish to cover a bare patch of soil.

Site Selection

• Like other juniper varieties, this ground covering shrub requires full sun. Planting "Prince of Wales" juniper in a shady site makes it more vulnerable to pests and diseases. This plant tolerates various soil conditions, including clay and sandy soils, as long as the site has good drainage. The Missouri Botanical Garden suggests spacing multiple "Prince of Wales" plants 3 to 4 feet apart when trying to cover a large area. Planting these shrubs closer together reduces airflow and increases the risk of pest and disease problems.

Soil Preparation

• Taking the time to properly prepare the soil encourages the growth of a healthy root system and a vigorous "Prince of Wales" juniper. Remove any weeds growing in the planting area and till the soil to a depth of about 9 inches. Mix 2 inches of compost into the soil to improve water-retaining and drainage properties, if necessary. University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences recommends adding fertilizer to the soil, using 2 teaspoons of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for each 1-gallon plant.

Planting

• Dig a hole as deep as your "Prince of Wales" root ball's height and at least 1 foot wider than its width. Remove your plant from its nursery container and gently spread out the roots with your fingers. Place your plant in the hole so the top of its root ball is even with the surrounding soil. Backfill the planting hole and water thoroughly to help settle the soil and remove any air pockets.

Watering

• Water your "Prince of Wales" juniper at least twice a week for one month after planting to help it become established. After that, give it one deep watering once a week, allowing the water to penetrate the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. After the first growing season, your plant should only need occasional watering during a prolonged drought. Apply about 2 inches of mulch on the soil surrounding your plant. The mulch helps retain soil moisture while keeping the ground cool and preventing weeds from sprouting.

Fertilizing

• Fertilize established "Prince of Wales" junipers in the early spring before new growth appears. University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences recommends feeding your juniper 1/2 pound of a 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 fertilizer for every 100 square feet of the growing area. Give your plant another application of fertilizer in late summer to promote faster growth. Give your plant a deep watering following every fertilizer application.