Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper)
Botanical name: Juniperus chinensis
Common name: Chinese juniper
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Northeast Asia
This hardy and low-maintenance plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be used for bonsai. It's an evergreen conifer bearing blue-green cones and foliage of both juvenile and adult leaves. The needles of young growth are wedge shaped with sharp points and arranged in sets of two or three. Adult leaves are diamond shaped, overlapping flat on the twigs in four ranks like fish scales. There are many various cultivars with different growth habit, foliage color and needle types.
Juniperus chinensis grows into a large shrub up to 5-10 ft tall and can also become a small tree of 10-20 ft or even bigger than 20 ft tall. It needs full sun and moderate water for optimal growth. The mature plant is suitable for USDA Zones 4-10.
Growing Chinese juniper in colder regions (in pot for instance) can be quite challenging since it needs both cold and warmth. In winter, put the pot in a sheltered place and wrap the pot with insulating material to avoid freezing. In summer, the plant should receive full sun exposure and regular watering. Additionally, regular pruning is needed to maintain its shape.
