Juniper Shrubs How To Take Care Of Junipers

Plant juniper shrubs in a location with full sun or light shade. When they get too much shade, the branches spread apart in an effort to let more sunlight in, and the damage to their shape can't be repaired. Junipers grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

How do you maintain junipers?

Junipers need little to no pruning so that plants retain their natural form. In early spring, cut out any dead branches, trim back errant growth and lightly shape as needed. Keep up with light pruning as young plants grow to keep them compact and healthy.

What is the best fertilizer for junipers?

Incorporate fertilizer into the soil or spread it around the plant, but avoid directly placing fertilizer into the planting hole. Established junipers will benefit from a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8 or 12-4-8 applied at a rate of 1/2 lb. per 100 square feet in early spring and again in late summer.

When should juniper bushes be trimmed?

Overgrown specimens can be lowered up to 20 percent, but cuts must be above the dead zone. When shearing junipers, care should be taken to leave some new growth on the plant to avoid pruning back into the dead zone. Shearing should take place in the spring when plants are actively growing.

How often should juniper be watered?

Water newly planted junipers twice a week when there is no rainfall for the first two months. Junipers need weekly watering for the first summer to develop an extensive root system. After the first summer, most junipers can rely on natural rainfall and fog for moisture.

How do you keep junipers small?

You'll need to start selectively pruning a juniper bush by trimming back each branch's terminal tip. This will reduce the length and weight of the branch, making it less likely to pull out from the trunk. You can also use an arbor tie to attach sagging branches to the central trunk.

Are junipers poisonous?

All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. ... The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption.

Why do junipers turn brown?

If you see brown, red, green or yellow eight-legged insects, your juniper has spider mites. ... Entire branches dying back especially on larger shrubs or juniper trees may be due to twig blight. This is caused by cankers. This disease can also cause foliage on infected branches to turn yellow or brown and wilt.

Can I use Miracle Grow on junipers?

Where do I apply Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food for junipers? The ground, the branches, or both? Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food can be applied to both leaves and soil. You should just wet the leaves and soak the soil around the plants for best results.

What do you feed junipers?

Fertilize the juniper annually in early spring with a complete, slow-release fertilizer with a formulation such as 12-4-8 or 16-4-8. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the juniper at a rate of 1/2 pound per 100 square feet just before it rains or water it thoroughly after applying the fertilizer.

How do you shape a juniper bush?

While overgrown juniper pruning has its limits, it is possible to trim your plant down to a more manageable shape. One good place to start is the removal of any dead or leafless branches – these can be cut off at the trunk. You can also remove any branches that are overlapping or sticking out too far.

How do you revive a juniper bush?

Cutting all the branches of a juniper at once can leave the plant shorter and more sparse than you may like in the short term. For a less drastic look, revive your juniper over the course of three years by cutting back only one-third of the shrub's branches each spring.

Can you cut junipers back?

Junipers are hardy shrubs that can take severe pruning, but it is possible to kill them by pruning them back too far. ... They can be pruned at any time, but do heavy pruning in winter or early spring before growth starts. If the juniper is severely overgrown, it may be preferable to replace it.

Does Juniper need full sun?

Junipers are evergreen and part of the conifer family, but produce berries instead of cones. Junipers are heat and drought tolerant once established, and tolerate poor soil conditions. Junipers perform best in full sun, but can tolerate shade. Also, junipers do not like wet locations and prefer well-drained soil.

Is Juniper easy to grow?

When planted right and in the right spot, Juniper trees are exceptionally easy to grow. ... Juniper trees tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay, however prefer a well-drained sandy clay or loam. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic.

How do I know if my juniper is dying?

If the branches are flexible and full of sap, they're still alive. If they're brittle and dry, they're dead and won't come back. Some of the “brown” junipers that are still alive will put out new growth in the spring, but it will be from the tips of branches.

Can you keep a blue point juniper small?

"Blue Point" is listed as growing to 7 to 8 feet but does indeed grow larger as you have discovered. Junipers can certainly be pruned, but unfortunately there is no way to discourage new growth by pruning. They are vigorous plants! ... If you attempt to shorten it, you will end up needing to prune the sides as well.

How long do juniper trees live?

Junipers typically live from 350 to 700 years, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.

How quickly does juniper grow?

Fast-growing trees can grow up to 25 inches or more per year, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Are junipers poisonous to dogs?

The University of California - Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Which Juniper is poisonous?

Savin Juniper is known to be toxic and potentially deadly poisonous if taken in large enough quantities.

What is Juniper good for?

Juniper berries or extract of the plant has traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-diabetes, antiseptic as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders.