The juniper impresses with its variability, because it enriches gardens in the form of privacy hedges or ground cover. The adaptable plant even feels at home in a pot. But the different varieties place special demands on the location.
Why is juniper suitable for the garden?
Juniper in the garden is ideal for structure and variety, as a privacy hedge, ground cover or solitary tree. The plants prefer a sunny location, loose and permeable soil with a high sand content. Popular varieties include creeping juniper, shrub juniper and Juniperus communis.
Usage
Juniper provides structure and variety in the garden. The evergreen plants impress with their special growth forms and attract attention all year round. Varieties with low growth are ideal for planting in smaller home gardens or as accents in front gardens. Juniperus species can be planted as ground cover or solitary trees. They grow together in group plantings to form dense hedges and provide optimal privacy. Smaller species can be placed in pots and plant troughs.
Juniper is valuable in the garden:
- easy-care and decorative
- with age, junipers are self-starters
- Flowers are a valuable source of food for bees in spring
Location and soil
Juniper proves to be adaptable because it can cope with different climatic regions. All Juniperus species prefer a sunny location. The plants do not thrive permanently in partially shaded conditions. They tend to become bald after a few years. Juniper grows optimally in dry conditions. The roots cannot tolerate waterlogging.
Soil conditions:
- loose structure with good permeability
- high sand content
- may contain limestone
Varieties
Creeping junipers are suitable as ground cover. There are varieties whose foliage shimmers yellow, silver or blue. The green-needle varieties enrich the garden with fresh colors. Creeping juniper grows slowly and thrives particularly well in sunny places. Its carpet-like growth makes the tree the perfect plant for bordering beds.
Shrub junipers such as Juniperus virginiana 'Hetzii' or Juniperus media 'Pfitzeriana' have a higher growth rate per year. They are suitable for privacy hedges and can also tolerate special topiary cuts. They can be placed in pots and grown on sunny balconies or terraces.
Juniperus communis is a native species that is widely used as an ornamental tree. It is not only used for decorative purposes, but also provides a taste enrichment in winter cuisine with its berry-like fruits. Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' and Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' come into their own in heath gardens. They develop a slender habit and fit into backdrops with boulders.
