How to Grow and Care for Chinese juniper

Chinese juniper, also known as Sargent juniper, Pfitzer juniper, Shimpaku, Hollywood juniper, Japanese garden juniper

Chinese juniper is an adaptable and resilient plant known for its ease of care. Key care needs involve ensuring well-drained soil and full sun exposure. A special care point for chinese juniper includes occasional pruning to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth. Overwatering should be avoided as it can lead to root rot. Chinese juniper's tolerance for a variety of conditions makes it an excellent choice for new and experienced gardeners alike.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Chinese juniper

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	4-9

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Varieties of Chinese juniper

Chinese juniper 'Pyramidalis'

A cultivar of Chinese juniper, chinese juniper 'Pyramidalis' is an upright evergreen columnar that forms a roughly pyramidal shape. A flexible cultivar, it requires little to no pruning and can tolerate full sun or partial shade. Chinese juniper 'Pyramidalis' is an evergreen, and its silvery-gray foliage persists throughout the seasons.

Chinese juniper 'Stricta'

A cultivar of Chinese juniper, chinese juniper 'Stricta' is beloved for its soft, blue-green foliage and pyramidal shape. It is considered an optimal species for providing year-round structure, as neither its color nor its shape change with the seasons. However, it does require full sun to thrive, although it is drought-resistant and tolerates narrow spaces.

Chinese juniper 'Aurea'

A cultivar of Chinese juniper, chinese juniper 'Aurea' is a conifer valued for its golden-yellow needles, which persist year-round. Likewise, male specimens sprout abundant yellow cones throughout summer months. It has also been awarded the prestigious "Award of Garden Merit" by the Royal Horticulture Society.

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More General Info About Chinese juniper

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Quickly Identify Chinese juniper

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Chinese juniper is an evergreen conifer that is characterized by its bushy conical shape, reaching heights of up to 50-60 feet (15-18 meters) and spreading 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) wide. This diverse plant comes in various forms ranging from low ground covers to sizable trees. It's easy to recognize by its dark green, aromatic foliage which includes both juvenile needle-like leaves called awl that are about 8mm long and pointed, as well as adult leaves that are flat and scale-like. Look for light brown bark that peels away in thin strips. Reproductively, chinese juniper requires both male and female plants, with males producing catkin-like pollen cones and females bearing light blue seed cones, initially resembling fleshy berries that mature over two years to a violet-brown or black.