How to Grow Juniper

Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus. Originally from the northern hemisphere, varieties are grown mainly for ornamental purposes. The one exception is Juniperus communis, grown for its berry which is picked and used in cooking as a spice and to flavour spirits like gin. Varieties range from low growing ground covers that are used heavily in landscaping, smaller compact varieties suited to smaller gardens and rockeries to large and long-lived trees tolerant of very cold conditions. The latter are used more as specimen plantings in large gardens.

Prefers full sun although some may take part shade.

Water weekly to establish

Tolerant of most soil types, as long as well drained.

Plant during spring, but available most of the year as potted specimens.

How to grow junipers in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is heavy or clay based, add gypsum and fork in well. Some large varieties are idea as specimen trees.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.

Step 4

Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 6

Water deeply, once or twice a week during establishing, little extra watering should be needed once established.

Step 7

Feed every 10 weeks from spring to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

How to grow junipers in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot with a minimum diameter of 250mm. Not all species are suitable to pot culture, as some do not trim well and can get too big. Position in full sun or semi shade.

Step 2

Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease out any tightly curled roots.