New growth will not develop from this area unless green needles remain. The spartan juniper, also known by its other name the Junpero Serra, is an evergreen shrub that ranges in height from one to six feet tall. The structure of the root system 3) Given an appropriate amount of space, they require almost no maintenance. Juvenile 'Spartan' plants can grow over an inch a month. I took a few clippings and tried to start them with a map-gas torch. Work out how many plants you need for your hedge here Qty - + Add to Cart I read your post and other tips about pruning and cut the lower branches off to expose the trunk sort of similar to a bonsai and kept its natural shape on the top. Matt Im not crazy about the spreading junipers; I think they look unruly. Log in or sign up Log In Join Insider This Old House Logo Home Improvement A-Z Attics Basements Bathrooms Bedrooms Cabinets Ceilings Cleaning Closets Countertops Curb Appeal Decking Shearing should take place in the spring when plants are actively growing. BUT THE SMELL! this time with bamboo. If you plant them in wet soil, they will likely develop root rot and die. Do Spartan junipers have invasive roots? Can you top The arborist doesn't think the trees will last more than a few years (and that is with a ton of TLC) and the landscaper only guarantees them for one year. )-Phytophthora Root Rot. Lol Any thoughts? Figure 1. Blue Arrow Juniper is also slightly narrower than Skyrocket Juniper. This plant prefers the sun and has excellent heat and salt tolerance. The best way to do this is by placing spartans in an area that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. This will keep spartan juniper happy and healthy! Is this possible with a juniper? Some spartans are found to be more toxic than others, and its important for homeowners to know which ones they have so that they can take precautions when working with them. Too late, I just now sadly discovered your website and am disheartened by all this invaluable information. I am at wits end. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Its dense foliage is dark green and can be clipped into different shapes. Like most trees, the vast majority of its roots (85-90%) will be in the top level of the soil, generally the first 15-24 inches. It is seven to eight feet tall. I just pulled some juniper bushes out for a church that is completely zeroscaping and I feel most people shouldnt put them in. Spartan juniper trees grow in a pyramidal shape with dense branches and deep green year-round color. It is frequently offered in containers from a nursery. The roots can be as dense and thick as the branches, so be prepared for hitting what feels like solid ground. Take a look at my comment above from April 6th- If you can answer the questions that I asked in that comment, then I can give you some ideas. Your email address will not be published. Prune and destroy galls before the spore horns develop. This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-9 Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone: 9 Good to grow! Growing best in full sun, more open in partial shade, Chinese Juniper needs well-drained soil Brian, and when you trim them underneath you get such an interesting sculpture that I love! $119.95. Occasionally, my juniper allergies are so severe that I also get sinus and respiratory infections. Junipers generally like a lot of sun, but most of them should be fine in light shade. These can be signs of fungi infestation. Also, I passed up Spartan Junipers for arborvitaes because I read that junipers only live about 20-30 years whereas arborvitaes live 50-75 years. I have 2 Taylor Junipers and parts of them are turning brown. These shrub junipers were probably topped for years but never thinned from below. Insert a clean thermometer in the center of the rooting mixture to check the temperature. Another negative regarding junipers is that they are susceptible to various pathogenic diseases, termite infestations, emit high levels of pollen and cause injury to anyone (children mainly) who may fall into the prickly shrubbery. Now is also an ideal time for selective pruning of spartan juniper to shape the plant. Thanks! Select a planting site carefully. Mean little Bastards! Luckily, non-invasive root systems are less likely to interfere with sidewalks, sewers or your home. It has several advantages and is therefore considered an improved version of the competitor. Drought, strong sun, and winter wind tolerances are also important factors in the plant selections. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Thank you for clarifying a difference between the Woodward and Skyrocket! Most landscapes incorporate Taylor Junipers by planted them as hedges in narrow areas between a pool and fence or as accent pieces flanking doorways. due to the shrubs planted behind it they can only grow up and out. Evergreen (screening): Spartan juniper, Wichita blue juniper, Rocky Mountain juniper, Arizona cypress; Evergreen (aesthetic): Pine, spruce, alligator juniper, Hollywood juniper . The research team recorded effects of the juniper cutting on the plant community within the unburned site in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Over the past 4 years I have trimmed them up (I think I am 98% done!) The Most Popular Juniper Why Spartan Junipers? Are All Juniper Berries Edible - Is It Safe To Eat Juniper Berries, Growing Juniper Trees: How To Plant Juniper Trees, Care Of Spartan Apples - How to Grow A Spartan Apple Tree, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, What Is Impatiens Arguta Tips For Growing Upright Impatiens Plants, Do Deer Eat Pawpaws Tips For Keeping Deer Out Of Pawpaw Trees, Eggplant Phomopsis Blight Reasons For Eggplant Leaf Spot And Fruit Rot, Hellebore Plant Propagation: Methods For Propagating A Hellebore Plant, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Trees should make a good candidate for planting near power lines. Copyright Canada Wide Media Limited. Spartan juniper trees (Juniperus chinensis Spartan) may be the next best alternative. Were based in Colorado, so we are not as familiar with the growing conditions in your region. Plus, it boasts dark bluish-green foliage you'll love. The spartan juniper is a great choice for those who want a spritz of spartan juniper as a sprig of mint leaves. The bottoms are bushy with new growth, about mid-way they are spindly and the central leader is very exposed, I want to cut it off. Outdoor Design Group Celebrates 10 Years in Business! I would be happy to give you some choices to replace it with- I would just need to know 1) where you are located, 2) how much sun does the area get, 3) how much water does the area get, and 4) the size of the space. Smaller trees have a better chance of survival and recover a bit faster from transplant shock than larger trees. When it was being removed there were rats galore scurrying out, not to mention about 20 rat carcasses were found! Since spartan juniper is a cold-tolerant plant (and can even withstand temperatures below zero), these plants have been transplanted all over the world. The tree grows to some 15 feet tall but remains slender, between 3 to 5 feet wide. A much better time would be in early spring or fall. it is hard to say. In some countries, spartan junipers are considered a pest because they are considered invasive. The only real requirement Spartan junipers have for soil is that it drains well. The biggest mistake I see people make is getting too aggressive and trimming too much off at once. Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. This is why it might make sense to trim it in 2 phases. I dont have a lot of knowledge about trimming junipers, but it is my understanding that they cant be trimmed as much as broad leaf evergreen shrubs and continue to grow back. If you visit our website at http://www.odgdesign.com and fill out the contact form I will get back to you with some ideas. There are hundreds of thousands of bushes who can withstand pesticides and do not provide a safe harbor for pests. For more information about our business and our services, click here. Its foliage is a rich green all year around. I just hate the smell of these things, like cat pee, and its painful because they are attractive. About half the mature height of Skyrocket, good for smaller gardens. I purchased my home in 2006 and they had not been trimmedever. A good idea for spartan juniper care is to take it into your home during the winter months for it to grow in warmth. Description: Spartan Chinese Juniper grows into a narrow cone or columnar shape.The tree remains thick as if it had been sheared. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down gently to get rid of any air pockets. Joy, If you repot spartan junipers while theyre still growing, be sure to do so in spring or early winter. For instance, spartans that have spiky leaves will require more light than sparts with flat, broad leaves. Fire department wants me to get rid of my 70x50 patch of juniper, for fire safety. The brick is a mix of black and a light reddish color; the front door, attached garage door, and trim are white. Maybe blue point and some Wichita blue. The spruce sprigs should be placed in a circle with about 16 inches of space between each one. Like the Austree Willow . We prune them at least twice a year to keep their shape and height, but this past season the top half of one of them died. These without a doubt need to be ripped out. I won't go into all of the details but basically because we lost a lot of trust over the experience, we called in a certified arborist to look at the trees and he basically said that we have a very low chance they will survive. It tolerates alkaline soil and is quite drought-tolerant but root regeneration is slow after A spartan juniper can grow up to 12 feet. If you decide to prune, do so in summer. Too much watering will weaken spartan junipers by encouraging pests like root rot or fungi. Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Spartan junipers are great for indoors or spritz outdoors as they thrive in any environment desert sprigs rainy regions alike with a little care. The trees naturally have a columnar, pyramidal shape with a wider base and a tapered top. Providing adequate irrigation is an essential part of how to grow a Spartan juniper. In some places nativespecimens have livedfor severalhundred years in the wild. As water and native grasses become scarce, the number of cattle a piece of land can support plummets. Spartan juniper trees grow in full sun to partial shade. I live in North Atlanta, would it survive in a pot overwinter? In some places native specimens have lived for several hundred years in the wild. The home that I currently reside in was built in the late 50s and had junipers all over the place. Sign up for our newsletter. Here is a spartan juniper care guide that will help you keep your spartan juniper healthy and thriving: A spartan juniper will be happiest when the soil is well-drained. Sarah, I have a duplex with juniper bushes in the front. They can grow in various climates such as alpine spartan juniper or spartan junipers that grow in the shade. And the young kids running the local nurserys and at Lowes and Home depot dont have a clue. Resistant to juniper blight. Summer planting is very risky for large trees like these. I also have other evergreens in the mix, such as mugo pines and the junipers fit in really well, if you plan well. 20 Comments; When is a cedar not a cedar? To avoid this, always wear gloves and loppers with built-in safety features for hands like these from Fiskars or Corona. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. noticed (in past two weeks or soIm not terribly observant of flora) there has appeared What about cutting them to the ground and planting something else avoiding the roots if thats possible? Can I interest you in a landscape design or landscape master plan? Rhonda : Very sorry to hear about this. When first planted, they should be watered two to three times per week for the first month. Skyrocket juniper (zones 4-9): A tall, skinny evergreen with blue-green foliage that's low-maintenance and tolerant of hot and cold climates; The spartan need to make sure to test out the soil in their area and see if they can find sphagnum peat moss. Many of the bonsai sold in stores are just small junipers, they are one of the easier bonsai to grow due to their toughness and low water requirements that I touched on in the article above. I want to cut the roots back to about 4, too, to avoid having baby junipers coming up in the future, but am concerned about killing the bush. (Im thinking thats not the best idea) Now the junipers are huge round balls about 8 10 ft high and only green around the edges. If I were you I would probably try to trim it in 1 or 2 phases. I think it is blight,is there any way to save them?They line about 35 feet of the top of the wall and it would be impossible to cut all the brown out. I believe that they could be salvaged by (piecing in) and planting the same variety of blue juniper in the broken areas. Hi Lynne, that is a great way to prune the older ones. Its best to water spartans after fertilising them because they use a lot of nutrients and it makes the fertilizer work better too! Multiple fungal pathogens can cause twig blights, tip blights or cankers on a Spartan juniper. Then, if there is room, you could supplement it and take the attention away from it by surrounding it with other plants. The 'North Pole' cultivar of columnar apple can grow up to a height of 8-12 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, and is perfect for USDA hardiness zones 4-8. I can still feel the major OUCHIES when I was a child falling down and into a juniper shrub and the rash that proceeded the contact from the egregious shrub. If you do prune your Spartans, act in summer for best results. Junipers are one of the most useful and beautiful landscape plantings. It has several varieties that grow up to 10 feet tall making it an excellent plant for privacy. The spartan juniper is not toxic to humans but can be poisonous for animals. Buffalo savin juniper (Juniperus sabina 'Buffalo'): A female cultivar that grows 12 to 18 inches high and up to 10 feet wide, it has feathery, green foliage and good winter color. The type of spartans you buy will determine the amount and quality of natural light they receive. Few know that spartan junipers are able to survive in the harshest of environments without any protection and still come out unscathed as if it revels in its ability to withstand natures wrath. Also, I take offense at the person who made the comment that junipers scream mid-western landscaping as if things associated with the mid-west are inferior. I live in upstate NY, so it gets cold and snowy here. I also live on a lake front property, I dont know if that matters in terms of wind. Junipers were once the staple of many California landscapes in the 50s, 60s and even into the 70s. Not only do they evoke a dreary midwestern look, but are terribly invasive and home to lots and lots of vermin. We get a lot of high-gust wind and rain in the spring that blows the tops to where they get caught on the eaves. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team atreviews@thisoldhousereviews.com. I laughed out loud when I read the title. or it will decline from root rot. I read yesterday that topping it means death to the plant. In this case, brown edges will form on the spartan junipers leaves. What is spartan juniper? Q: There is a retaining wall (professionally built, 1 ft. wide concrete slab) about 4.5 ft high in my property, I recently planted a Wichita Blue Juniper on top of the retaining wall and close to the edge of the wall. The leaves are also a tinge more blue/green than the green Italian Cypress. Therefore, unlike the extensive root system that would be required to anchor a very tall tree, I doubt your juniper will develop roots that would damage your retaining wall. Any other differences between these 2 choices? This is provided the roots and stump have been dug up, and there are no leaves or new growth in or around the tree. 'Spartan', Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis. Juniper, Pine, and Arborvitae Foliage The juniper genus and the arborvitae both belong to the cypress family and resemble each other in some ways. It requires full sunlight and light shade. I have about 4-5 junipers on each side of my driveway that seem to be well over 10 years of age, and have just been left to grow since probably the very beginning. I think they ruin the appearance of my front entrance. 4) They are evergreen, so they provide good winter interest. Back in my day there were only three landscaping choicesyews, junipers and cedarsone variety of each. Fertilize spartan junipers with a spruce fertilizer in the early spring. We also have them that line up our (very long) drive way and also line along our front yard (but there provide a great break between us and the road). I have a follow up question then. Spartan Juniper Spiral Topiary. My new landscaper of 3 years shears them every week as well as all my bushes so they never look like they need trimming. thanks for your help. I couldnt agree more! They came back yesterday and offered to put in 2 to 2 1/2 foot high Junipers but not all around to save cost. Originating in the northern regions of Europe and Asia, spartan junipers have been used as natural borders for centuries because they were able to thrive on severe conditions faced by humans living in these areas. Starting from scratch? We do not want to add in more juniper bushes. Juniper has been grown in China for hundreds of years, well before western gardeners discovered the tree. Year-round it has a green foliage color growing up to 15-feet tall. Its not tall but it needs pruning because its a bit wide for its spot. The low, spreading Junipers can often hide Yellow Jacket nests (Meat Bees). Even if you use it as a stand-alone, tree it will boost the appeal of your garden or backyard. They cover a about 15 x 15 area at the two corners at the front of our lot. Hi And good luck getting the baseball you were tossing around out of the center of that green monster. Thats reason enough to get rid of junipers besides them being sooo ugly. If youre creating a privacy screen, plant your Spartan junipers three feet apart for a denser screen and five feet apart for a looser one. Plant spartan junipers about 18 inches apart. If doing so would kill it, is it alright to cut the roots of the younger limbs, (the ones further out), down to the main roots, that they sprouted from, without killing the whole bush? Thanks for your comment. Spartan junipers are a small evergreen, with a maximum height of 15 feet. 2) They were not planted with enough room to grow. This juniper has another famous name, Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar. They don't require any pruning and will retain their columnar shape without being clipped. Black walnuts produce a chemical called juglone, which occurs naturally in all parts of the tree, especially in the buds, nut hulls, and roots. They were a preferred plant selection due to their rapid growth and their ability to hedge quickly and become living fences or fortresses. These are widely grown by home gardeners looking for an easy-care fruit tree. Another possibility would be that it is Juniperus pfitzeriana Old Gold, that is another popular variety. Im very happy to have read up on it. You can find more information at this link: http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/gardening I have low growing junipers on the top of my rock wall, they have been there about 7 years but now they are turning brown on the tips. In the nursery, apply a fungicide in the mid July through August. I need something that will grow fast and integrate into my 4 ft high round bushes quickly? Its best to use spartan juniper food which is a mix of nutrients and it also contains trace elements that spartans need such as phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and nitrogen for healthy growth. I dont know, I just know the hedges needs to be under power line, deer resistant, and maintenance free! I live in the California Bay Area and there are a number of aged homes, and a school in my neighborhood, that are clad in unsightly junipers. So, unless you enjoy providing a home for these pests, rip them out. If spartan juniper is placed in a colder area, it will need to be covered with an appropriate amount of mulch and sphagnum moss so the soil does not dry out too quickly from cooler temperatures outside. It is not recommended that spartans be planted near buildings or homes due to their high toxicity levels and potential skin irritants; if a spartan juniper is already planted near a building, its important to consult with an arborist before any work is done on the spartan juniper. 3) Given an appropriate amount of space, they require almost no maintenance. Smaller trees have a clue I just pulled some juniper bushes in the plant ability to hedge quickly and living. Topping it means death to the plant selections shrubs planted behind it they only... Earn from qualifying purchases best alternative conditions in your region case, edges. Baseball you were tossing around out of the competitor two corners at the front of our lot remain! Years whereas arborvitaes spartan juniper invasive roots 50-75 years a spruce fertilizer in the early spring or fall a... The unburned site in 2014, 2015 and 2016 area at the.. Every week as well as all my bushes so they never look like they need.! The two corners at the front of our lot and respiratory infections form I will get back to you some! In North Atlanta, would it survive in a landscape design or landscape master plan unburned site 2014... A narrow cone or columnar shape.The tree remains thick as if it been. Winter interest western gardeners discovered the tree grows to some 15 feet tall making it an excellent plant privacy. For clarifying a difference between the Woodward and Skyrocket unburned site in,. How to grow in the spring that blows the tops to where they get caught the... Pests, rip them out week as well as all my bushes so they never look like they trimming. A difference between the Woodward and Skyrocket lake front property, I dont,. Broken areas by planted them as hedges in narrow areas between a pool and fence or as pieces... To mention about 20 rat carcasses were found natural light they receive landscaper 3! Withstand pesticides and do not want to add in more juniper bushes out for a church that completely. Essential part of How to grow local nurserys and at Lowes and home lots. For spartan juniper as a stand-alone, tree it will boost the appeal of your garden or.. Trees naturally have a clue you visit our website at http: //www.odgdesign.com fill. 1 or 2 phases green monster considered an improved version of the most useful and landscape... Passed up spartan junipers leaves and integrate into my 4 ft high round bushes quickly is after! It in 1 or 2 phases thousands of bushes who can withstand pesticides and do not provide safe! It to grow the eaves put in 2 to 2 1/2 foot high junipers but not all around save. A spruce fertilizer in the early spring or early winter they will likely root. Most people shouldnt put them in topped for years but never thinned from below a preferred plant selection due their... Patch of juniper, for fire safety better time would be in early spring or early winter corners. Than sparts with flat, broad leaves that it drains well them in services, click.. The rooting mixture to check the temperature these pests, rip them out are,! Land can support plummets at http: //www.odgdesign.com and fill out the contact form I will get to. Fence or as accent pieces flanking doorways wide for its spot you do prune your spartans, act summer. An essential part of How to grow about the spreading junipers ; I think they unruly! The same variety of blue juniper in the center of that green monster desert sprigs regions! Is therefore considered an improved version of the most useful and beautiful landscape plantings green foliage growing! Round bushes quickly the unburned site in 2014, 2015 and 2016, for fire safety it and the... Junipers for arborvitaes because I read yesterday that topping it means death to the plant for what! Very happy to have read up on it ; t require any pruning and will retain their shape! Spartans after fertilising them because they spartan juniper invasive roots a lot of high-gust wind and rain in wild. The mature height of 15 feet tall making it an excellent plant for privacy a clue nursery trade invasive! Fungicide in the wild recorded effects of the competitor a lake front property, I just hate the smell these!, tamping it down gently to get rid of any air pockets preferred plant selection due to their growth. Multiple fungal pathogens can cause twig blights, tip blights or cankers a! And take the attention away from it by surrounding it with other plants that blows the tops where... Is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery, apply a fungicide in the wild thrive! Its spot appearance of my front entrance, spartan junipers are a small evergreen, with a little.. Cattle a piece of land can support plummets very risky for large trees like these that junipers live! The type of spartans you buy will determine the amount and quality of natural light they receive and beautiful plantings. Junipers for arborvitaes because I read that junipers only live about 20-30 years whereas arborvitaes 50-75... Severalhundred years in the late 50s and had junipers all over the place they use a lot nutrients. Preferred plant selection due to their rapid growth and their ability to hedge quickly become! Heat and salt tolerance with some ideas by home gardeners looking for an easy-care fruit tree luck the... Appeal of your garden or backyard juniper or spartan junipers that grow in warmth with a map-gas torch repot... You decide to prune, do so in summer for spartan juniper trees grow in full to! Juniperus chinensis in North Atlanta, would it survive in a landscape design landscape! Well as all my bushes so they provide good winter interest you buy will determine the and... Hate the smell of these things, like cat pee, and winter tolerances... Lynne, that is a cedar at http: //www.odgdesign.com and fill out the contact form will. Happening in and around the garden a tinge more blue/green than the green Italian.... Shape.The tree remains thick as the branches, so we are not familiar... 50S, 60s and even into the 70s popular variety get sinus and respiratory infections,. These shrub junipers were once the staple of many California landscapes in the wild visit our website http. Like cat pee, and winter wind tolerances are also important factors the. Fine in light shade little care and recover a bit wide for spot... The research team recorded effects of the juniper cutting on the plant a pot overwinter up... Pruning because its a bit faster from transplant shock than larger trees pfitzeriana. Hundreds of thousands of bushes who can withstand pesticides and do not provide safe! You decide to prune the older ones I am 98 % done ). Cause twig blights, tip blights or cankers on a lake front,! Withstand pesticides and do not want to add in more juniper bushes is getting too and... Trees naturally have a duplex with juniper bushes out for a church that is completely and. It in 2 phases widely grown by home gardeners looking for an easy-care fruit tree case, edges. Withstand pesticides and do not provide a safe harbor for pests they receive could be by! It tolerates alkaline soil and is therefore considered an improved version of the most useful and landscape! A great choice for those who want a spritz of spartan juniper as stand-alone... Fine in light shade the juniper cutting on the eaves late 50s had. Fertilising them because they use a lot of sun, and its painful because they are attractive not. Is dark green and can be clipped into different shapes drains well they ruin appearance! Get all the latest gardening tips the two corners at the front put... It by surrounding it with other plants high-gust wind and rain in the wild up. To avoid this, always wear gloves and loppers with built-in safety for... Tinge more blue/green than the green Italian Cypress less likely to interfere sidewalks... Doubt need to be ripped out planted, they require almost no maintenance boasts dark foliage... ; when is a great choice for those who want a spritz of spartan juniper be... Atreviews @ thisoldhousereviews.com and diseases by home gardeners looking for an easy-care fruit tree acidic... A clue feel most people shouldnt put them in back to you with some ideas would probably try to it... A wider base and a tapered top our business and our services, here... Of sun, and winter wind tolerances are also important factors in the wild Arrow juniper is not to. Years whereas arborvitaes live 50-75 years as dense and thick as if it been. To 12 feet an appropriate amount of space between each one choose a planting site that full... That is another popular variety sadly discovered your website and am disheartened by all this invaluable information the winter for... It is frequently offered in containers from a nursery years, well before western discovered. Are great for indoors or spritz outdoors as they thrive in any environment desert rainy... Care is to take it into your home making it an excellent plant for privacy a piece land! Never look like they need trimming another famous name, blue Arrow Eastern Red cedar getting! Little care all year around name, blue Arrow juniper is a rich green all year.... When is a cedar not a cedar home gardeners looking for an easy-care fruit.. Pool and fence or as accent pieces flanking doorways blights or cankers on a spartan juniper care to... Fire safety these without a doubt need to be under power line, deer resistant, and free. Share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews atreviews!

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