Stricta Juniper is an evergreen shrub from the Cypress family. A plant with high decorative qualities is the result of the work of Dutch breeders, introduced to society in 1945. Currently, the culture is recognized around the world and has found application in landscaping garden plots and garden zones in various climatic hones, including temperate latitudes.
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Juniper Stricta: features and description
Evergreen native to China develops in the form of shrubs and on average does not exceed three meters in height. Juniper species is represented by a cone-shaped crown 1.5 m in diameter, consisting of vertical shoots covered with bluish-green needles. The average life span of a lush shrub is 80-90 years.
Varieties and varieties
The variability of the culture, which is manifested by a change in color depending on the season, as well as high decorativeness and easy adaptation to various climatic conditions, have made the culture very popular among landscape designers. The more popular the culture became, the more productive breeders worked on the cultivation of varieties, which today number about 5 dozen.
The most common varieties that can easily be purchased at specialized points of sale of ornamental plants, including nurseries:
- Juniper Chinenzis Stricta - plants with a conical crown, consisting of densely covered with shoots of needles.A distinctive feature of the evergreen representative is the color change depending on the season - green with a bluish tint of needles with the advent of winter acquires a silver color.
- Juniper Chinese Blue Alps is the most popular, relatively winter-hardy representative of the species, distinguished by a dense spreading crown with drooping young shoots.
- Juniper Chinese Old Gold - the variety is represented by low-growing shrubs with golden, densely growing needles. The crown diameter is 2 times the height of the plant, which by 10 years reaches only half a meter.
- Chinese juniper Strikta Variegata - a decorative variety with a variegated crown of various shades, harmoniously combining silver-green and golden colors of needles.
Proper planting technology
In order for the bush to take root well, it is necessary to plant in compliance with the necessary agrotechnical requirements.
Site selection and soil preparation
For the cultivation of juniper, a sunny area is selected, in which slight shading is permissible. For full development, the culture needs loose soil with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction, which is prepared in advance by carrying sand and peat for digging.
Disembarkation technology
In spring, evergreens are planted.
Wherein:
- At the selected site, digging pits are excavated with a depth of 70 cm and a diameter 2 times the root system of the seedling.
- A distance of 0.5–2 m is maintained between the pits, depending on the crown volume of the selected variety.
- A drainage layer of broken brick up to 20 cm thick is placed at the bottom.
- Next, a seedling is established with a lump of earth and sprinkled with earth in such a way that the root neck remains at the same level with the soil.
- The soil in the near-stem circle is compacted and moistened.
Care for Chinese Streak Juniper
It is not difficult to grow a beautiful plant with a lush crown, if you properly organize the care of juniper.
Watering and humidity
To maintain decorativeness, irrigation measures are of the greatest importance, since the culture does not tolerate prolonged drought. Low humidity also has a negative effect on Streak juniper. In order to prevent air dryness, it is recommended to organize systematic sprinkling during the hot season.
Fertilizing and fertilizers
Despite the unpretentiousness of juniper, in order to ensure its long life, it is necessary to fertilize the culture 2-3 times during the season with the help of complex mineral fertilizers for conifers.
Winter preparations
The plant is considered winter-hardy, but in harsh climates, young plants should be protected from winter frosts with spruce spruce branches. As they grow older, only the juniper root system is protected by mulching the trunk circle with peat with a layer thickness of 10 cm.
Breeding methods
Juniper Chinese Stricta is propagated by both seeds and cuttings.
However, due to the laboriousness of the generative method, the most effective method is considered to be cuttings, in which:
- Cuttings are cut in a length of 15-20 cm.
- Slice sites are treated with a growth stimulator to accelerate the root formation process.
- Planting material is buried in a light substrate with a loose structure, and then covered with plastic bottles to maintain high temperatures and humidity.
- Protection is systematically removed for ventilation and moisturizing.
- After rooting, which is noted after 1.5 months, young specimens are planted at a constant place of growth.
Read also:Juniper Blue Arrow
Landscape design
The conical shape of the crown of various shades attracts landscape designers who use an evergreen plant with a spectacular appearance when landscaping various recreation areas. Stricta Juniper looks great both in a single landing against a bright green lawn, and in combination with derain or barberry. Low-growing varieties fit perfectly into the decor of a rock garden or other rocky art object. It is also possible to use this type of juniper in the formation of hedges.
So, Chinese juniper, planting and caring for which does not require large labor costs, is an excellent culture that combines a low profile character and high decorative qualities.
