We are going to talk about one of the well-known shrubs of the Cupresaceae family. Its about Junipers. Its common name is juniper and the common juniper is called Juniperus communis. It is a shrub that can grow to over two meters in height if it grows in good conditions and its fruits are widely used in gastronomy. The name juniper is used to give names to other species that belong to the same genus. The trait that stands out the most in it and for what it is best known is its youthful-looking foliage.
In this article you will learn about the characteristics, cultivation and care that Juniperus needs to have it in your garden.
Key features
It is a shrub that is found in most areas where the climate is colder. It is more widespread throughout the northern hemisphere. It has numerous branches that reach a height of two meters. Although it is considered a shrub, some Juniperus with up to 10 meters high have been recorded. The characteristic that makes it more distinctive is that it has large needle-shaped leaves. The color of the leaves is deep green.
Normally, we find the leaves grouped in branches of three and taking a spiral shape. Juniper is quite known as dioecious. This means that there are both specimens that are male and others that are female. That is, we can notice differences between specimens of one genre or another.
As for its flowers, they begin to appear in the autumn months, especially in female plants. In the masculine ones you have to wait to see them in the spring. This is how we mainly manage to differentiate both sexes in the plant. The fruits are gallbules and not berries as many think. These fruits begin to develop when the bush is about three years old and has been able to grow in good conditions. If the health of the bush is not very good, it will take longer to bear fruit until it is stable.
The galbules are green in color and, as they mature and develop more and more, they become dry and take on a purple hue. You could almost say that they are black.
Juniper cultivation
Juniperus is not only used in gastronomy for its fruits. It also has some medicinal purposes and they are used quite a bit for garden decoration. Thanks to its multiple uses, it is a species that has spread over the years. Now we can find it in homes, public spaces and other places of interest. Not only is it quite a showy plant, but it also has a pleasant and easily recognizable scent.
To reproduce the Juniperus the easiest way is through cuttings. This way we can cultivate it in a faster way and guarantee its speed in growth. In winter we have to do it by means of cuttings that we are acquiring from the branches that have been born during the same season. This way we guarantee that they are in full growth and that they are capable of adapting and developing once planted.
Once we have obtained the cuttings, we have to soak it for a few hours. We will not do it in water, but in a preparation of hormones that serve to promote rooting. Later, we will plant it in a seedbed that will have a soil with perlite y peat.
In order for the juniper to develop correctly, we will have to take into account that the interior of the seedling It will have to be at a temperature between 15 and 27 degrees. In addition, in order for it to grow in good conditions, it will need direct sunlight. In this temperature range and with good sunlight, we will be making sure that it can develop in good conditions.
If, on the other hand, we want to grow it in summer, we must do it in cuttings that are obtained through the branches that are born in summer. Forever it is better to use the branches that are born at that time because they will have a tendency and capacity to develop earlier. Being in the warmer season, we will not need to protect it from the cold. You can just grow.
We can reproduce juniper also from grafts, although it is much more complicated to carry out than by cuttings. In addition, obtaining the patterns for which the grafts are to be performed can take about 3 years and is not worth it if we want something faster and safer.
Necessary care of the Juniperus
As we have seen, except when the plants are small and growing, juniper has a great ability to resist frost. We should not take too many precautions nor is it necessary to protect it from frost. What we must guarantee it is a good sun exposure most of the day. To do this, we will find a location in the garden where it can receive enough sun.
It is important that you have enough space so that the roots do not compete for nutrients with other plants. The roots tend to spread throughout the soil and are quite suitable to take advantage of the minerals that are available in the soil. It is not necessary to pay them, although it is advisable to place an organic compost every two or three years to give it a boost.
It is quite resistant to drought, which will not need much watering. It must be borne in mind that the soil must have good drainage to avoid waterlogging. In areas where there is regular rainfall, it will not even be necessary to water it. If we have a dry season, it will be enough to water it every 20 days.
It needs maintenance pruning so that its size and shape are adequate. The best time to do it is in the spring and autumn months.
Main uses
Juniper fruits They are used to flavor meats, sauces and fillings. The fruits can be used once they have dried. If we use it when they are ripe, they do not give a good flavor since they are very bitter.
It also has medicinal uses for the treatment of some ailments, acts as a diuretic and facilitates urination.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about Juniperus and can enjoy it in your garden.