Juniperus chinensis, commonly called Chinese juniper, is a dioecious evergreen conifer that is native to China, Japan, Mongolia and the Himalayas. It is often seen in the wild as a conical tree to 50’ tall and 20’ wide, but also appears in much shorter shrubby or spreading forms. Foliage is dark green. Brown bark on mature stems peels in strips. Although species plants are rarely sold in commerce, a large number of cultivated varieties ranging in size from large trees to large/small shrubs to low-growing groundcovers have become popular ornamental landscape plants. Chinese juniper leaves come in two types: scale-like (adult) and awl/needle-like (juvenile). Cones (pollen and seed-bearing) appear on different plants. Male plants produce catkin-like pollen cones. Female plants produce fleshy, berry-like, whitish-blue seed cones that usually acquire violet-brown tones as they mature over two years.
Daniel's Dwarf Juniper Care
Juniperus Chinensis 'daniels Dwarf'
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Hardiness zone
4 - 9
Difficulty
Medium
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Along with adequate drainage, Chinese juniper grows best in moderately moist soil. Water young plants around once or twice a week to maintain soil moisture. But unless you live in a dry climate or go through stretches with no precipitation, you likely won’t have to water a mature plant. Once Chinese juniper is established, it is fairly tolerant of dry soil and drought.
Pruning
Size and shape vary widely among Chinese juniper plants, and this will dictate your specific pruning needs. But in general, pruning is typically best done annually in the late winter or early spring just before growth begins. Prune off any dead, broken, or diseased branches. And then trim back leggy branches to maintain the plant’s shape. Aim to selectively prune branches around the entire plant to increase the amount of light that can reach its center.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer usually isn’t a necessity for Chinese juniper unless you have nutrient-deficient soil. However, it can help to boost the plant’s growth. Many gardeners choose to feed their juniper annually or every two to three years in the early spring with a complete, slow-release fertilizer.
Sunlight
Chinese juniper grows best in full sun. It prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil
This plant is tolerant of many different soil types, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils. It does best in average garden soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Good soil drainage is critical. Slow-draining soil can cause root rot and other issues for the plant.
Temperature
Chinese juniper can handle temperature fluctuations within its growing zones, and certain varieties have even more cold tolerance than others. The plant also is tough in both humid and dry conditions, as long as its roots aren’t sitting in soggy soil.
Popularity
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