Species Chinese juniper
green shrub  with green, small, dense leaves

Chinese juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku'

Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku') is a hardy evergreen that is native to East Asia. It presents an interesting textured foliage and a mature, elegant form that make it a popular ornamental plant. It can grow to about 6 meters in height with a tendency to spread wider than its height. Its foliage is comprised of densely packed needles that present a gold-green color and an undulating texture. Its foliage also has soft bluish-green branchlets that contain greyish pollen cone and oval-shaped fruits. Its conical habit is ideal for foundation plantings and creating attractive hedges. Chinese juniper is a low-maintenance plant, making it perfect for difficult locations and has excellent tolerance to a wide range of soils and drought.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku') needs to be watered once a week, and the amount of water should be such that the soil is moist but not soggy. Let the soil dry out between waterings, but don't let it become completely dry. During the hot summer months, slightly increase the frequency of waterings, or mist the foliage once a week if preferred.

sunlight

Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku') should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct full sunlight each day. If a plant receives fewer than 4 hours of sunlight, it will require supplemental lighting to reach optimal growth. If possible, it should receive no more than 8 hours of direct sunlight on very hot summer days to avoid sunburn.

pruning

Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku') should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning should only be done to remove any dead, crossing, or otherwise unruly branches. Do not prune too much as this will thin out the tree. Chinese juniper should also be lightly trimmed every 1-2 years, or when the foliage begins to look overgrown. When trimming, maintain the shape of the tree by cutting just outside of the foliage area, staying away from the trunk. Keep the foliage area dense by removing only the tips of the branches. When trimming, avoid creating too much of a bald spot as this can reduce the chances of successful regeneration of the plants. Pruning should be done in moderation to keep the Chinese juniper healthy and attractive.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Chinese juniper typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Chinese juniper typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map