Jonathan Ya'akobi

Caring for Junipers in Mediterranean Gardens – The Most Important Points To Remember

Junipers can be such an important part of the garden in a dry climate, that it’s a pity to get poor results because of some easily avoidable mistakes.

Junipers are often thought of and with good reason, as mainstays of Mediterranean and dry climate gardens. The different varieties provide solutions to many design issues such as the need for screening, ground cover, and vertical accent. They are hardy to cold and drought, remain largely unscathed by pests and disease and require minimal maintenance. Yet disappointment with Junipers is not uncommon, and most of it can be traced to mistakes people make in their care and cultivation.

A serious error is to plant Junipers too close to each other. Junipers ought to be planted at a distance equal to the width of the plants in maturity, so that if the width of a shrub species reaches up to 2 meters; then that should be the planting distance between the plants. The trouble is that due to their initial high cost, they are often bought as small specimens. Added to that is the fact that they grow slowly as well and so if planted at the recommended distances, large gaps are left between the plants.

It is sometimes suggested to over-plant, and then thin out the excess specimens when the spaces begin to close. This is now known to be mistaken as the roots of separate plants fuse with each other, thus rendering removal of some of them impossible without inflicting serious wounds on the roots. Another solution is to plant herbaceous plants between the young Junipers. I recommend against this practice, as from my experience, the herbaceous material, whether annual or perennial, tends to retard the development of the Junipers.

Undoubtedly, the best alternative is to spread a decent layer of organic mulch between the plants. Visually the effect will be ordered and neat, if unspectacular. However the real benefit is in the improved growing conditions provided to the Junipers, particularly in reducing the temperature at the soil surface, which when exposed to direct sunlight, can reach 50c in hot summer climates. The mulch will also help of course in controlling weeds.

While Junipers are not fussy in their demands, good drainage is absolutely essential for their growth and development. In waterlogged soils they are liable to rot and die. It is for this reason, that incorporating plenty of well-rotted compost into the soil, say 20 liters per meter square, is highly desirable, as the air/moisture balance is thus improved, amongst other benefits. Similarly, watering, especially in heavy clay soils should be spread out to allow the soil to dry out to some extent, again in order to improve the aeration of the soil. Deep occasional soakings are to be preferred to frequent but light applications.

Junipers are sensitive to excessive amounts of chemical fertilizer, especially to nitrogen, in the vicinity of their root systems. It is best to avoid chemicals altogether and feed the plants with compost and other organic supplements. Always take care, not to dig in the compost, as this may injure the roots.

Many varieties, particularly the sculptural ones, should hardly be pruned at all. It is desirable though to clip the tips of the ground cover types in order to encourage bushiness and to avoid lank and leggy growth. In general, new growth does not appear from cuts made too far into old wood. If the branches of shrub species are to be removed, they should be pruned back to their base, care being taken that the cut is clean and not too large.

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