Here you can find a description and photo of rock juniper, its varieties, and you can also learn the principles of planting and care.

General description of rock juniper (photo on the left). Characteristics of the species: in addition to scale-like leaves, some shoots have needle-shaped ones. The shape of the cones is round or irregularly angular, there are no truncated ones at the top. The plant is frost-resistant.

Rock juniper is of North American origin. It is found high on slopes and cliffs (2000 m).

The plant has a beautiful bluish color of needles. Externally close to Virginia juniper. In nature, this is a multi-stemmed plant up to 10–18 m tall, the side branches usually extend from the very bottom, the crown is irregularly rounded. The thickness of the shoots is slightly more than 1 mm, light green or bluish. One of the forms has an intense blue- green color shoots. The leaves are rhombic, triangular or lanceolate in shape with pointed tips and a resinous gland. The cones are dark blue, as if with a blue coating, with a diameter of 0.4 - 0.6 cm. The seeds reach maturity towards the end of the second year, usually there are 2 pieces in a cone, they are red-brown in color, ribbed.

Planting and caring for rock juniper. All plants are light-loving and also moderately demanding in terms of moisture and soil conditions. Read further at the link: junipers.

Frost resistance of varieties rock juniper. The value reaches approximately -28.8 C°. For regions with colder winters, you should cover for the winter or purchase zoned plants.

Decorative varieties of rock juniper (their photos and characteristics). They are distinguished by a blue tint of color, expressed to varying degrees in different varieties.

Rock juniper Blue Arrow) (see photo below) - is considered one of the narrowest varieties of juniper. Plant with a non-thorny columnar crown blue color, formed by rigid vertical shoots adjacent to the trunk. Over a period of 10 years, it is represented by a height of 2 to 3 m.

Juniper s. Blue Heaven(see photo below) - cone-shaped, growing up to 2.5 m in the first 10 years. The shoots are raised, cylindrical in shape. Among junipers it is one of the most bright varieties blue coloration that persists into the winter months.

Juniper s. Moonglow(see photo below) is a narrow columnar plant with a bright blue color. Characteristic: vertically located branches have tips sticking out to the sides. Growth rate over 10 years: up to approximately 2.5 m.

Juniper s. Silver Star(see photo below) - a fast-growing slender variety of a conical shape with vertical branches. The needles are two-colored: bluish-green shoots contain inclusions white, evenly distributed throughout the crown. Experts have noted that adult plants are the most decorative. At 10 years of age, growth is 3 meters.

Juniper s. Skyrocket(see photo below) - a slender plant in the form of a blue-green cone. Grows up to 3 m in 10 years.

Juniper s. Wichita Blue(see photo below) - a cone-shaped plant of blue color, retaining its shade all year round, the shoots are vertical. With a height of 2 m, the width is about 70 cm (10 years). In hedges the interval is 60 - 80 cm.

Thematic pages: coniferous trees, coniferous shrubs.

Each owner of a plot of land tries to improve the territory as much as possible. Most people have problems not with specific design solution, and with the definition of the most suitable plants. The soil is not suitable for some, others are too “capricious” in their care - there are quite a lot of nuances, and this makes it difficult to choose.

• Slow growth. An adult plant can stretch up to 3 m, forming a cone-shaped crown with a diameter of about 0.7 m.
• The shoots are rigid, vertically oriented (adjacent to the trunk quite tightly). This allows this variety of juniper to be effectively used as a hedge for suburban areas, when arranging alleys, landscaping terraces, banks artificial reservoirs and for the implementation of other design solutions.
• The needles are soft, with a shade from dark green to gray and bright blue.
• The trunk is practically not “bare”, since the branches of the lower row grow directly at the base.
• This variety of juniper goes well with the most different plants(deciduous, coniferous), therefore can be used as component in any design composition.

Planting juniper

Blue Arrow is not at all demanding chemical composition soil, so it can be planted in almost any soil. The only condition is more light. If the area is shaded, then the development of the plant will slow down, so such plantings are carried out only in cases of lack of space or due to the specifics of the territory (its layout, height of buildings, and so on).

The latter applies to adult specimens. If “young growth” is planted, then you should focus on a lump of earth around the rhizome. The hole should be approximately 2.5 times its size in depth.

To prevent water from stagnating in it, drainage should be provided. For this purpose, a layer of broken brick mixed with river sand is poured onto the bottom (approximately 15–20 cm). After installing the seedling (the root collar must remain above ground level), it is advisable to fill the hole with a nutrient composition prepared from peat (2 hours) + a mixture of turf and sand (1 hour each).

The first week the plant requires abundant watering, and daily. This is necessary for his speedy adaptation to the new place.

Care

It doesn't present any big difficulties. The only thing you need to take into account is that Blue Arrow juniper does not tolerate excessively dry air. If possible, in the area where the plant is planted, automatic devices should be installed, but not by drip, but with the help of “sprinklers”. In this case, the air is effectively saturated with water vapor, which has a beneficial effect on the development of Blue Arrow.

• It is advisable to periodically loosen the soil around the juniper (top layer, approximately 5–8 cm).
• Fertilizer application - no more than once a year (usually in spring).
• Watering – preferably more often in the first year (about every other day); in subsequent years, once every 3–4 days is sufficient. To increase this interval, it is advisable to mulch (cover the soil around the plant with a layer of sawdust, pine needles, wood chips, etc.). This will reduce the rate of moisture evaporation after watering the plant.

Preparation of juniper for winter requires special attention:

• Considering the peculiarity of the crown and some “tenderness” of the branches, the shrub needs to be protected from snow load. If the area is characterized by heavy snowfalls, then the crown is attracted to the trunk (with tape, rope). The young animals are covered completely (with canvas, spruce branches or something similar). The main thing is to avoid the “greenhouse effect”.
• A layer of peat is poured around the trunk (8–10 cm).

Trimming

It is produced as for most plants - in the spring, before the so-called “sap flow” begins, that is, until buds have formed on deciduous trees. The branch (shoot) can be shortened by no more than a third.

Everyone knows what juniper looks like. This one is small coniferous shrub due to its attractiveness it is often used in landscape design. Landscaping of public gardens and city parks, design of private estates and administrative buildings rarely goes without this culture. There are many varieties of juniper. This article will focus on the Blue Arrow rock juniper.

The varieties most often chosen for decoration are: blue juniper. They look quite impressive. Rock juniper Blue Arrow is considered to be this moment the most popular. For those who plan to use this variety in landscaping buildings, it makes sense to familiarize themselves with its characteristics and growing habits. You can see the article about.

Detailed description Rock juniper Blue Arrow is shown below:

1. It is a compact, evergreen, columnar plant with a sharp tip.
2. The shoots are quite tough. Placed vertically. They fit tightly to the trunk.
3. The branches grow almost from the ground itself, which distinguishes this variety from many others.
4. The needles are blue. The shape resembles scales. Absolutely not prickly. Very soft.
5. The culture is growing quite quickly. The growth rate is 15 centimeters per year.
6. The average height of a 10-year-old Blue Arrow rock juniper ranges from 2 to 3 meters. True, the height of an adult plant often reaches 5 meters. The crown diameter is about 70 centimeters.
7. The shrub bears fruit with blue berries-cones.

Blue Arrow juniper has the following advantages:

What are the benefits of Blue Arrow?

It must be said that the Blue Arrow juniper variety is distinguished not only by its attractive appearance, but also by a number of useful properties.

They are explained by the high phytoncidity of the culture. This means that the shrub, in the process of its growth and development, releases small quantities of volatile biologically active substances, which are called phytoncides. These compounds kill and inhibit the growth of pathogens.

The fruits contain vitamin C, fiber, essential oils, flavonoids and a number of other benefits for human body elements. There are such important minerals like zinc, manganese. The plant is rich in iron, calcium, copper, magnesium and potassium. The berries are recognized as a powerful antiseptic. Therefore, they are often used to heal wounds. In addition, they perfectly relieve pain in the joints and relieve spasms. The fruits contain bitterness, which helps improve digestion. The antifungal effect has long been proven.

They help medicinal properties juniper to cope with the following diseases:

In what areas is Blue Arrow used?

In the field of decoration, juniper of this variety is considered an ideal choice. For example, Blue Arrow rock juniper is often used in landscape design to form hedges of an unusual bluish tone, alpine coniferous groups and rocky gardens. This variety is often used to create various compositions for decorating entrances and terraces.

In addition to the fact that Blue Arrow rock juniper is actively used in landscape design, it is also used in other areas. For example, alcoholic drinks are made from the fruits of this crop. The berries are also used to make seasonings for dishes. They are indispensable when salting meat.

The plant is also actively used in cosmetology and perfumery. Masks and creams with the addition of the fruits of this plant help prolong youth and give the skin a healthy appearance.

In medicine, rock juniper Blue Arrow is an important component for the creation of medicines.

Berries help with inflammation of the joints and kidneys. The fruits are also effective for bronchitis. The diuretic effect of the plant is also well known.

How to grow juniper?

Juniper is propagated by seeds or cuttings. The last method is considered universal and the most effective. The procedure is carried out in the spring. So root system has time to form well and withstands the winter better. The tops of the plant are used as cuttings. The shoot is cut off in such a way that the old bark and wood remain. They strip the cuttings to a height of several centimeters.

Plant cuttings immediately. The soil chosen is loose, consisting of sand and peat. It is preferable to plant in wooden boxes at a slight angle. The optimal planting depth is 3 centimeters. The container is put into the greenhouse. The seedling is regularly sprayed with water and irrigated. After 50-90 days, the first roots appear. If juniper is planted and cared for correctly, the plant will quickly begin to develop and look beautiful.

Conclusions about the above information

Rock juniper Blue Arrow is recognized as one of the most decorative species coniferous trees and bushes. Thanks to both the original shape of the crown, its bright blue color and good adaptability even to harsh climatic conditions, this juniper variety is gradually replacing such famous competitors as Skyrocket in popularity.

Description

Short description Rock juniper Blue Arrow is contained in its name - Blue Arrow. Rigid, almost vertical shoots start almost from the base and form a narrow arrow-shaped shape, the elegance of which does not change over the years or under the pressure of snow. The annual growth is about 15 cm. By the age of ten, the tree rises to 2-2.5 meters in height with a diameter of no more than 70 cm. The maximum height of the plant is up to 5 meters. The needles are expressively blue, sometimes almost blue, soft, scaly in shape. Fruits - cones of blue color. The peculiarity of the variety is that, unlike most varieties of needles, the lower branches of Blue Arrow do not die off for quite a long time, maintaining the attractiveness of the crown and expanding the scope of use of the plant in design ideas.

How to plant and care

Planting and caring for Blue Arrow rock juniper does not take much time. But if several conditions are met, it takes root better, gives faster growth and, accordingly, has a more attractive appearance. appearance. Blue Arrow prefers well-lit and sheltered areas.

In the first year after planting, the plant is sensitive to intense spring sunlight.

Planting rules for Blue Arrow are typical for all junipers. The root system will take root better if it is with a lump of earth. The planting hole is made two to three times larger than this lump.

The bottom of the pit is drained and the free space is filled up ready-made mixture for coniferous crops in equal proportions with soil. You can prepare the mixture yourself; to do this you need to mix:

• peat, 50%;
• leaf soil, 25%;
• sand, 25%.

When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the root collar is not recessed in the ground or does not protrude above the ground, and that the roots are located vertically.

Mulching will protect the soil from moisture loss, while simultaneously complementing the aesthetics of the garden composition.

The container form of the seedling is replanted year-round; planting with bare roots is carried out in March-April or autumn, before frost arrives. Blu Arrow is quite undemanding to moisture, but develops better with periodic watering. The first year or two after transplantation is especially necessary, until the root system adapts to new conditions.

Use in landscape design

In landscape design, Blue Arrow rock juniper is used both in single and group plantings, and for forming. The main advantage of the variety is its stable crown shape, which requires virtually no additional care for shaping. When planning hedges, high planting densities cause plants to compete with each other for living space, which will affect the appearance.
When disembarking in a train landscape compositions, thanks to the original and bright color of the crown, Blu Arrow usually becomes the central, most expressive element.
This juniper can also be used in containers for decorating entrances, balconies, and terraces. Several posted photos of Blue Arrow rock juniper clearly demonstrate its use in various compositions.

Rock juniper "Blue Arrow"

(Juniperus scopulorum "Blue Arrow")

General characteristics

A tall coniferous shrub with a very narrow, columnar crown. Tough, vertically growing shoots, tightly pressed to the trunk, grow approximately 15 cm per year. At 10 years of age, the plant reaches 2-2.5 m in height and 0.5-0.7 m in diameter. The lower branches grow almost from the very base of the trunk and persist for a very long time. The needles are bright blue, soft, scaly.

The fruits are dark blue with a bluish coating of cone berries.

Optimal conditions cultivation and care rules

It is not picky about soil fertility; it grows on various types soil Tolerates drought and high temperature air. It is frost-resistant, but in severe winters young shoots may freeze. It will overwinter better if planted in a place protected from the wind. In spring, it is advisable to remove dry branches. The first time after planting in a permanent place, the crown requires protection from the bright spring sun. Despite its drought resistance, watering during the hot season will promote better plant development. Does not tolerate stagnant waterlogging. After heavy snowfalls, shake off the crown to avoid breaking the branches.

Reproduction methods

Varietal forms are propagated by spring cuttings taken from short side shoots “with a heel” before or at the beginning of the awakening of the buds; Rooting is first carried out at a temperature of +15 - +18 degrees, then increased to +20 - +23 degrees. 50% of winter cuttings take root.

Application

Valuable variety for creating small and large-scale landscape compositions from coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs with different architecture and contrasting foliage colors. Looks great as a tapeworm or as part of small single-varietal groups in heather gardens and rock gardens, as well as in free-growing mixborders. Capable of creating beautiful hedge, which does not require cutting and takes up very little space. In addition, this variety of juniper is extremely good as a container crop for landscaping front entrances, balconies, terraces, etc.