Variety tips, care instructions and more

Suitable for hedge design

Juniper is great for designing a Privacy hedge, because the wood is easy to cut and tolerates sandy and dry locations in full sun. Due to the slow growth, the hedge only needs to be cut once a year. These properties make juniper an easy-care hedge plant.

Suitable types and varieties

Some Juniperus species such as the columnar juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) develop shapely hedges. Due to the upright growth, the wood forms a uniform hedge in the group planting. Juniperus communis is unsuitable for the design of cuboid hedges, because the species tends to baldness in the lower area when there is a lack of light. A trapezoidal cut with rounded edges is better so that the lower branches get enough light.

Varieties that form beautiful hedges:

• Juniperus virginiana 'Helle' (Synonym: Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan')
• Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue'
• Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone'

planting

Place juniper bushes side by side in a wide row. Make sure there is a distance of 70 to 100 centimeters to the next specimen. The planting hole should be at least twice as large as the root ball. This is extensively watered before planting.

Mix the excavated material with peat and pour the mixture into the planting hole after you have planted the juniper. It should not be set lower than it was in the pot. Tread on the substrate around the root ball and water the plant.

care

In order for the plants to quickly form a hedge, they need to be watered regularly. After spring planting, the trees have a higher water requirement. Water thoroughly and allow the top layer of soil between the irrigation units to dry off. Adult specimens do not need to be watered regularly.

Cut back the young plants in the forks of branches so that new growth is encouraged. In this way, the trees form a dense and compact growth habit. Always cut from top to bottom. This makes it easier for you to create a trapezoidal shape.